BERLIN – Bayern Munich are to finalise details on the transfer
of midfielder Philippe Coutinho from Barcelona on a one-season loan
deal with an option for a permanent transfer, the club has confirmed.
The German record champions have also signed 20-year-old midfielder
Michael Cuisance from Borussia Moenchengladbach, it was confirmed on
Saturday.
Bayern said following their 2-2 season-opening draw with Hertha
Berlin on Friday evening that "a basic framework" for the transfer of
Coutinho had been reached with Barcelona.
The 27-year-old Brazil midfielder is expected in Munich in the next
few days to finalise the deal and complete a medical.
Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said he and sports director
Hasan Salihamidzic had travelled to Barcelona to reach agreement with
the player and the Spanish club.
"We've watched Coutinho for quite some time. The name doesn't matter,
only the quality," he said after the draw with Hertha.
Bayern coach Niko Kovac said: "In my opinion, not only Bayern Munich,
but also the entire Bundesliga and the whole of Germany can be
delighted to be welcoming such a big-name player to our league."
Coutinho moved from Liverpool to Barcelona in the summer of 2018 for
an estimated 140 million euros (155 million dollars) but has been
unable to command a regular first-team place with the Spanish
champions.
Moenchengladbach meanwhile said Cuisance had undergone a medical
check on Friday and the transfer was sealed on Saturday. The French
midfielder had been at Gladbach since moving from Nancy in 2017.