Report: Corentin Tolisso unhappy at Bayern, Barca looking elsewhere to offload Coutinho

Per a new report by Sky Sports Germany, Corentin Tolisso is unhappy at Bayern Munich, and a summer exit looks increasingly likely. Sky also suggests that there is virtually no chance Bayern will activate the buyout option in Philippe Coutinho’s loan from Barcelona, especially in light of how the COVID-19 pandemic will affect the transfer market.

In the summer of 2017, Tolisso became Bayern’s most expensive transfer (at the time) when he made the switch from Olympique Lyon for around €42 million. His time with Bayern has been hampered by injuries, and he currently is struggling for a spot in Hansi Flick’s lineup, having started only 13 matches this season. Now, that the European Championship has been postponed, he also won’t have the opportunity to impress with the French National Team this summer.

Sky reporter Max Bielefeld adds that there is interest from Inter Milan to make a move for Tolisso, though their pursuit has not yet intensified:

There really is interest from Inter Milan. It is not yet intense; that is our information.

Sky’s Marc Behrenbeck strongly feels that Tolisso wants to go somewhere where he can be a starter, and he believes that Bayern is ready to let him go:

The marriage is on the cusp of divorce. [...] He wants out; Bayern would let him leave immediately. I can’t see him still playing for Bayern next season.

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Barcelona tells Coutinho to find new club

As for Philippe Coutinho, Behrenbeck said that the likelihood of Bayern buying the Brazilian international at the end of his loan from Barcelona is very low:

The probability that Bayern exercises the purchase option is ever slighter and is almost at zero — also on account of the coronavirus crisis.

Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images

Coutinho has scored 8 goals and has provided 6 assists in a total of 23 matches. He has shown flashes of brilliance, but not performed consistently enough to convince Bayern’s front office. Unfortunately, Barcelona isn’t exactly eager to have him return either, so they’ll likely have to sell or loan him to a club interested in his services:

Bayern has until May 15th to activate the option. According to our information, they will not do that. But FC Barcelona doesn’t want him either. The club has informed the Brazilian’s agent of that. They should look for a new club for Philippe. [...]

Several Premier League clubs are interested in Coutinho — Behrenbeck mentions Tottenham, Arsenal, and Chelsea — but all of them want no more than a loan package of about €30 million, which is not enough for Barcelona, who would prefer to sell Coutinho permanently.