Philippe Coutinho to Chelsea? Frank Lampard’s Chelsea appear to be the frontrunners to sign Barcelona’s Philippe Coutinho in the summer.
The rumours are that the Blues have been offered the chance to get the Brazilian.
Philippe Coutinho Next Club
Chelsea – 10/11
Bayern Munich –5/1
Man Utd – 6/1
Liverpool – 6/1
Arsenal – 8/1
Tottenham – 8/1
Inter Milan –10/1
PSG – 10/1
*(betting odds taken from Ladbrokes at 23:09 GMT on Wednesday, 22nd April 2020)
Blues to take offer of Coutinho
Ladbrokes had Chelsea lined up as the 10/11 odds-on favourites in the Philippe Coutinho Next Club market on Wednesday *(betting odds taken from Ladbrokes at 23:09 GMT on Wednesday, 22nd April 2020).
Coutinho, who left Liverpool for £145m in 2018 for Barcelona, is currently on loan at Bayern Munich until the end of the summer. He has been there since August last year.
Bayern stay for Brazilian unlikely
But with the reports that the Bundesliga giants are unlikely to keep him on full time, which they have an option to do, Barcelona may look to sell him on.
Coutinho was already clearly surplus to requirements at the Nou Camp.
Bayern would have to pay £109m to keep Coutinho at the Allianz. According to transfermarkt.com, the current value of Coutinho is €56.00m.
Transfer complications
Transfers this summer could be complicated by the Coronavirus outbreak, as purse strings at clubs are likely going to be a lot tighter than they were before.
With no EPL action since March and any return this year likely to be behind closed doors, it could inhibit transfers.
But that on the other hand, could mean that it is a good chance for Chelsea to get a top international at a cheap price.
Selling clubs are not going to be able to run with inflated transfer prices.
Coutinho ready for EPL return?
Because of his time spent with Liverpool and his agent saying that the Brazilian would be open for a return to the Premier League, it makes sense that England’s top flight would be a destination for 27-year-old Coutinho.
Manchester United are reportedly interested in the playmaker as well but are currently a distant 6/1 odds price in the Philippe Coutinho Next Club market at Ladbrokes* (betting odds taken from Ladbrokes at 23:09 GMT on Wednesday, 22nd April 2020).
That’s a mark longer than what Bayern Munich are currently at.
Chelsea have the likes of Pedro, Willian and Olivier Giroud all out of contract in the summer so could have to restock, having started with the signing of Ajax’s Hakim Ziyech.
