Breaking: Bayern Munich will bring in FC Barcelona’s Philippe Coutinho on loan (UPDATED!)

[UPDATE: 6:45PM EST]: It’s official, Bayern Munich has brought in FC Barcelona’s Philippe Countinho on a loan deal that will reportedly off the Bavarians an option to buy after this season.

The financial terms of the arrangement were not announced, but Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge issued the following statement via FCBayern.com:

I can confirm that Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and I were in Barcelona this week and reached agreement with FC Barcelona, the player and his management. The talks were very good and I’d also like to thank FC Barcelona for that. Obviously we still have to finalize a few details, but we’re delighted to be bringing this player to FC Bayern.

While no figures has been released, @iMiaSanMia captured reports from Mundo Deportivo and Sport about what the numbers might look like, but again — no terms have been released by either team:

— Chuck Smith

ESPN commentator and Yahoo blogger, Jorge Nicola, has recently stated on twitter and Yahoo that Philippe Coutinho is due to be announced shortly as a Bayern Munich player. He reports that the Bavarian giants have reached a financial agreement with the Brazilian international and awaits bureaucratic issues with Barcelona to confirm the signing on loan.

Negotiations between Bayern Munich and Coutinho has heated up a lot in recent hours. This transfer could complicate Barcelona’s desire to repatriate Neymar as Coutinho is one of PSG’s targets for an exchange.

Followed Nicola’s announcement, reliable Catalan radio station RAC 1, also announced that Philippe is heading to Munich this Sunday and is not in the squad for the Barcelona against Athletic Bilbao game.

BFW Analysis

I believe Bayern Munich are still trying to sign Manchester City’s Leroy Sane, either this summer or this winter. The Coutinho move is the last-minute option they were forced to take considering Sane is unable to contribute at all this year in any meaningful way. Getting Coutinho on loan increases squad depth but more importantly, gives Bayern more of that x-factor in crucial Champions League games.

Coutinho is an attacking central-midfielder that can play on the wing. Just like Perišić, he is a versatile attacking outlet that can play the part until future transfer windows.

Update: Coutinho is on his way!

Barcelona’s Guillermo Amor has confirmed a loan agreement with Bayern Munich that will see the attacker move to Germany on loan with an option to buy:

Barcelona will save itself Coutinho’s fee of nearly €12m. Travels to Germany tomorrow. Guillermo Amor confirms the agreement. The Germans will pay for the transfer and will have a non-binding option to buy at the end of the season.