Philippe Coutinho is set to stay at Barcelona for the upcoming season despite speculation linking the midfielder with a move away from the Nou Camp.
The Brazilian has returned from a successful loan spell at Bayern Munich, where he memorably scored twice against his parent club during the Champions League quarter final.
And it appears his displays for Bayern have been enough to convince new Barca boss Ronald Koeman that he can be part of the first team plans in the new campaign.
The former Liverpool playmaker has failed to live up to expectations at Barcelona since a £142million move from Anfield, and has been repeatedly linked with a move away from Spain this summer.
Arsenal are one of the clubs who have reportedly been offered the chance to sign Coutinho on loan, with Gunners boss Mikel Arteta looking to add creativity to his squad, but the arrival of Koeman has appeared to change the situation.
That is according to Coutinho's agent Kia Joorabchian, who says his client will stay at the La Liga side and fight for his place under the new head coach.
Asked on talkSPORT if the Brazilian was staying put, Joorabchian said: “Yeah. Koeman called him right after the Champions League victory with Bayern, the following day, and told him he’s very much in his plans and would like him to return.
“He was due to return on September 7 but actually he returned at the beginning of September because he didn’t want to lose his momentum and fitness, and he’s been training with Barcelona.
“All signs point to the fact Barcelona have changed quite dramatically, the way their philosophy of how they wanted to move forward from last year and the players they’ve brought in, like Coutinho, Dembele and Griezmann they’re all going to be part of the squad this year.”
Asked about Coutinho scoring to help knock his parent club out of the Champions League, Joorabchian added: “Well, you’ve got to do your job and he did his job perfectly, and it’s probably the reason why Barcelona want him back so badly.”
