It is well known that La Liga leaders Barcelona were pursuing Philippe Coutinho during the summer transfer window. However, a report from Germany has provided a new twist to the tale, as it transpires that Bayern Munich played a part in the Brazilian midfielder staying at Liverpool.
According to Sport Bild, Jurgen Klopp had lined up Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller as a replacement for Coutinho, and had a deal been negotiated for the World Cup winner, Philippe would have been allowed to make the switch to Barcelona.
The report claims that Muller, who has previously been linked with a move to Manchester United and Chelsea, agreed to move to Liverpool, but the German champions wouldn’t allow him to leave; and therefore, Liverpool couldn’t allow Coutinho to leave Anfield.
Muller, 28, graduated from Bayern’s youth academy in 2008 and has since made 403 appearances for the club, scoring 162 goals, including one goal in eight games this season. He also has 37 goals in 87 appearances for his national team, including five goals during Germany’s triumphant World Cup campaign in 2014.
