Thiago Alcantara has suggested Bayern Munich are keen to keep Philippe Coutinho at the Allianz Arena next season.
Coutinho has been on loan at Bayern this season, but the Bundesliga champions are now unwilling to take up the €120million permanent option agreed as part of original loan deal.
That means Coutinho will return to Barca this summer with the Liga club keen to offload him in a bid to boost their transfer kitty. The Brazilian will be made available for around €80million, and Chelsea are among a number of clubs keen on his signature.
Frank Lampard has identified the player as an alternative to priority target Jadon Sancho, though he could face surprise competition from Bayern after all.
"I know him well, he's very good," Thiago told Catalan newspaper La Vanguardia. "I've seen him play since he was 12 years old. I played against him in Brazil at football sala and I loved him.
"He lacks nothing. I like to play with players at a top level and he's a phenomenon. He's a great guy, really hard working, with unbeatable technique and incredible finishing.
"Players go through good moments and some not so good ones and he brings us a lot. We hope he's here next season too.
