Less than a week after confirming the loan deal for Ivan Perisic, Bayern have made official another signing. Phillipe Coutinho changes Camp Nou for Allianz Arena, also on loan, and the Bundesliga team will have an optional buyout clause.
Coutinho arrived in Barcelona during January 2018, after five seasons in Liverpool, and he was given the shirt number 14, a legendary number used by no one else than Johann Cruyff. Even though he arrived for an estimated fee of €130M, the Brazilian never lived up for the weight of the price tag and he ended up falling out of grace at the Camp Nou.
Coutinho, the journeyman
The Brazilian international, who won the Copa America this Summer, made 76 appearances for Barcelona. In total, he scored 21 goals and made 11 assists, which, to be fair, is still quite an impressive record. However, his work rate, especially the lack of defensive routines, made the left-winger never quite fit the Barcelona system.
Before arriving in the Camp Nou, Coutinho played 201 matches for Liverpool and he became an idol at Anfield. With 54 goals and 45 assists, the Brazilian magician moved away from the Reds one year before they won the Champions League and still had to endure being humiliated in their former club’s stadium, where Barcelona got eliminated with a 4×0 defeat.
The now 27-year-old creative midfielder and left winger started playing in the youth team of Vasco da Gama, in Brazil. After just one season in the Brazilian club, Internazionale took him to Serie A, where he spent 3 seasons, including a loan to Espanyol in 2012. However, he played just 47 matches in Inter, before being offloaded to the Premier League.
Now, Coutinho will play in the 6th club of his career and will have his first experience in the Bundesliga table. Bayern, who just started Bundesliga schedule yesterday with a 2×2 draw over Hertha Berlin, will receive another creative player, to give depth to the wings.
Cuisance also joins Bayern
The Bavarians, who this summer signed Lucas Hernandez and Pavard for defense, plus Perisic on loan, are still looking to make more signings. So, after announcing Coutinho, the club announced French midfielder Mickael Cuisance, from Borussia Monchengladbach.
The central midfielder will add depth to Bayern’s midfield, although his arrival could mean the departure of Renato Sanches.
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