Barcelona manager Quique Setien has given an update on Philippe Coutinho’s future at the club, saying the midfielder still has a role to play at the camp Nou.
The Brazilian struggled to live up to his mammoth price tag after joining Barca from Liverpool and was sent out on loan to Bayern Munich this past campaign – though the German side are not interested in making the deal permanent.
A return to the Premier League appears most likely, with Chelsea believed to be at the frontline to sign Coutinho though Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester United and even Liverpool have all been linked.
But Setien, who took over in January, has moved to quell speculation that the former Liverpool star could leave and says the 27-year-old will be welcomed back into the team unless a huge offer is made.
Asked about Philippe Coutinho’s future at the club, Setien told RAC1 on Wednesday evening: ‘I think Coutinho is a great player, I really like him.
‘He is still a Barcelona player. You have to pay the clause or pay a sum to Barca.
‘I think he can be here at the beginning of next season. I have to talk to him to ask him.’
Barcelona are looking to recoup as much of Coutinho’s £142m transfer fee as possible, while his release clause is reported to be around £355m.
Barca’s hierarchy have already said they expect the transfer market to be dominated by player swaps rather than huge transfer fees, which could see the blues use one of their own players as bait to land Coutinho.
Recent reports in Spain claim Barca are interested in N’Golo Kante as part of a swap deal, though the Frenchman is happy and settled at the Bridge and would only leave if he is forced out of the club.
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Barca have also been linked with moves for Neymar and Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez, and Setien could not hide his admiration for the Brazil international.
Asked about a possible Camp Nou return for Neymar, the Barca manager added: ‘I like all great footballers, there are a dozen in Europe who are extraordinary. But I really like the ones I have too.’
