Bayern Munich reject Coutinho purchase option

Philippe Coutinho Correia. A Brazilian professional footballer who plays as attacking midfielder or winger for German Bundesliga club Bayern Munich on loan from Barcelona and the Brazil National Team. Coutinho, on 19 August 2019 joined Bayern Munich on a season long loan. He scored his first hat-trick for the German club on 14 December 2019 in a 6 - 1 win over SV Werder Bremen, also recorded two assists in same game. He got his 50th cap for Brazil in 2019 Copa America opener against Bolivia, netting twice in their 3 - 0 victory. Photo: Getty

Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge revealed the Bundesliga champions have not activated their purchase option for Philippe Coutinho and the clause has now expired.


Coutinho joined Bayern on a season-long loan deal from LaLiga holders Barcelona at the start of the 2019-20 campaign but he has struggled to establish himself in Munich.

The Brazil international arrived with the option to buy for €120 million (A$200m) but Bayern have opted not to exercise the deal, though Rummenigge did not close the door on Coutinho.

"The option expired and we haven't activated it," Rummenigge told German magazine Der Spiegel.

"We're going to plan our squad for next season and we'll see if he still has a role to play with us or not."

Coutinho has failed to live up to the hype since swapping Liverpool for Barca in a blockbuster transfer in 2018.

The 27-year-old has scored eight goals and set up another six goals in 22 Bundesliga matches for Bayern this season, which has been disrupted by coronavirus.

As Bayern reportedly eye Bayer Leverkusen star Kai Havertz and Manchester City's Leroy Sane, Coutinho does not appear to be at the top of the club's list.
OmniSport via TheWorldGame