Bayern Munich are interested in signing Philippe Coutinho before the closure of the German transfer window on August 25.
That's according to Mundo Deportivo , who claim that the German giants have asked Barca about the availability of the Brazilian after he fell down the pecking order at the Nou Camp.
Coutinho's long-term future at Barca has been in doubt for some time now, with poor form last season, the summer signing of Antoine Griezmann and the pursuit of Neymar all suggesting that the former Liverpool man will need to move on this summer.
The 27-year-old was linked with a return to the Premier League prior to the closure of the English transfer window last week, but proposed moves to both Tottenham and Arsenal failed to materialise.
There remains the distinct possibility that he could move to Paris Saint-Germain as part of a deal to bring Neymar back to Catalonia, two years after he left for France to become the world's most expensive player.
But Bayern - German champions in each of the last seven seasons - could offer Coutinho an interesting escape route from Barca, as he looks to relaunch his career following a disappointing spell in La Liga.
Coutinho's status at Barca hasn't been helped by the fact that he has been on an extended break in pre-season after featuring heavily for Brazil in their Copa America victory over the summer.
Speaking after their 4-0 friendly win over Napoli on Saturday, boss Ernesto Valverde said that the returning South American players in his squad shouldn't expect to go straight into the team.
“I see them the same as the others," he said.
"They have to get in shape because they have come later for the Copa America.
"Last year they were important and now there is more competition and they have to fight more for one position."
