Coutinho won’t rule out move back to the Premier League in the future

Martin Macdonald

• Updated: 19 May 2021 15:43 BST
• 3 min read

Philippe Coutinho has refused to rule out a return to the Premier League at some point, but says he is happy at Barcelona for the moment.

The Brazilian developed into a star in England with Liverpool, eventually convincing Barcelona to part with a fee up to £129m (€145m) for a transfer in January of 2018.

He would win two La Liga titles on the bounce with the Blaugrana, but failed to reach the heights of his performances with the Reds, and was eventually shipped out on loan to Bayern for the 2019/20 season.

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Although by no means an integral part of the squad, he still featured in the treble winning campaign, which included victories in the Bundesliga, the DFB-Pokal and the Champions League.

After Bayern decided against exercising their optional purchase clause following the loan, he returned to Barca, where he has played more regularly under new head coach Ronald Koeman.

With Barcelona in dire financial trouble at the moment, however, he is for sale to the right buyer, whether than be via a transfer or indeed a loan to get his wages off the books.

He has been linked with a return to England with Arsenal or Chelsea, but for the player himself, he wants to succeed at Barcelona first before thinking about a move away.

“The Premier League is one of the most exciting leagues in the world and to have the chance to play there with a team like Liverpool will always be something I will feel grateful for,” the Brazilian told World Soccer.

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“It is impossible to say what might or might not happen in the future – but what I know is that right now my only focus is on being successful with Barcelona.

“I won three trophies, including the Bundesliga and Champions League, so I don’t think my time at Bayern can be anything other than a success.

“Winning the Champions League has always been a big ambition of mine and to win it with Bayern was a big thing. Now my ambition is to win it with Barcelona.

“I will always remember and be thankful for my time and success there, but I am back with Barcelona now and that is where my focus is.”

Coutinho has made four starts for Barca in La Liga so far this term, scoring two goals and assisting another. A positive start to the new campaign was hampered due to injury, but has returned over the past few games and scored in Barcelona’s weekend win versus Osasuna.

This week, as well as continued Premier League speculation, he has had to contend with rumours over a potential move to Juventus, also.

However, agent Kia Joorabchian was quick to play down those reports.