Coutinho near Bavaria: A royal transfer in a dilemma

Philippe Coutinho switched from FC Barcelona to FC Bayern Munich in the summer with huge advance praise. But the hype surrounding the Brazilian royal transfer has long since evaporated. The 27-year-old is currently only a part-time member of the squad.

But is it only “a matter of time” until Coutinho will be “in the first eleven”, as Bayern captain Manuel Neuer recently emphasised? Or is there even a question of quality behind the South American’s reserve role?

What is certain is that Coutinho, who is only on loan to the Munich team until the end of the season, will have little left of the time allotted. By May at the latest, the Bavarian bosses would have to draw the purchase option of 120 million euros.

So far, however, the midfield star has gathered few arguments for continuing to work on Säbener Strasse. There is much to suggest that the cooperation will be terminated after only one year if Coutinho is unable to free himself from his predicament.