Bayern Munich chief Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has revealed that his side will not be opting to activate their 120-million-euro option to buy Philippe Coutinho this summer.
The news is likely to offer a huge boost to Chelsea, who are believed to be interested in the Brazil international, along with a host of clubs from the Premier League.
Coutinho is currently on loan at the German giants from Barcelona and likely to leave the La Liga side in the upcoming transfer window after falling down the pecking order.
The former Liverpool star has featured in 23 of 25 league games Bayern have played this season, but sat out his side’s match last weekend after having undergone ankle surgery in April.
"The option expired and we haven't activated it," Rummenigge told Der Spiegel magazine on Friday.
"Now we're going to draw up squad planning internally (for next season) and we'll see if he still has a role to play with us or not."
And just last month, sides in the Premier League were handed a boost in their pursuit of Coutinho when his agent, Kia Joorabchian, confirmed he "would love a return to the Premier League" one day.
"The Premier League is something that he has always enjoyed playing in, and loved playing in, and would probably love to come back and play in,” he told Sky Sports News.
"The question is what are going to be the financial conditions of all the clubs, including Barcelona and all the Premier League clubs at the end of this pandemic."
