Transfer Predictor: Philippe Coutinho loan move from Barcelona to Bayern Munich gets a 6

Sooraj Kamath - Writer 09:49 13/08/2019
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  • Struggling to pick out the facts from the figures? Reality from the rubbish? Sense from the silly season?

    We’ve got you sorted in our daily dose of the Transfer Predictor, where we round up the latest rumours with an analytical spin.

    We sort through the most eye-catching transfer reports of the past 24 hours and give a balanced judgment on whether the move really will happen – and why, or why not.

    Today’s edition features a struggling Barcelona midfielder, a Real Madrid surplus and a potential signing for Monaco.

    PHILIPPE COUTINHO

    coutinho

    Barcelona -> Loan -> Bayern Munich

    Various sources close to both clubs have confirmed that Philippe Coutinho could be playing his trades in the Bundesliga this season. Bild report that Barcelona have offered Coutinho to Bayern on loan with two options – a season-long loan with an option to buy and a loan for two seasons with a fee.

    WHY IT CAN HAPPEN

    A pair of desperate boards are involved in this potential deal. The Spanish giants need to offload the player who failed to create an impact in 17 months at the club before they step up their chase of Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar.

    On the other hand, Bayern need a marquee signing to save face and bolster their depleted wings from what was a poor transfer window. The Bavarian club failed to sign their top two targets in Leroy Sane and Ousmane Dembele and will be counting on Coutinho’s deal going through to stay ahead of Borussia Dortmund.

    WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN

    Several reports suggest that Barcelona’s priority is to include Coutinho in the Neymar deal and will consider other options only if this does not work out. This loan move would hence heavily depend on how the talks between Barcelona and PSG proceed.

    Although Bayern have shown interest in the player, no formal approach has been made yet and the talks must advance before anything definitive can be drawn.

    TRANSFER RATING: 6/10

    MARIANO

    Mariano

    Real Madrid -> Loan -> Real Betis

    Real Betis are set to bolster their attack by signing Real Madrid attacker Mariano on loan, according to Marca. The player failed to make an appearance in any of Madrid’s three friendlies and has been tipped to leave Santiago Bernabeu before the start of the season.

    WHY IT CAN HAPPEN

    Betis have experienced problems in the final third for two seasons in a row. With former Real Madrid striker Jese Rodriguez failing to make an impact and club legend Joaquin inching closer to inevitable retirement, Betis are lacking in the attacking department.

    A player with La Liga experience could help the Seville club produce the goals in proportion to the number of chances they create.

    Mariano too should find this challenge interesting. He will be joining top players such as Nabil Fekir, Sergio Canales, William Carvalho and Marc Bartra at a club that has evolved a lot in the past couple of seasons.

    WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN

    Mariano’s €5 million annual wage could stand in the way of this loan deal. Betis already have a hoard of top names and hence a hefty wage bill. The Madrid winger could hence be forced to take a pay cut ahead of the loan move.

    Valencia and Milan are also said to be interested in the player. Both clubs are financially superior to Betis and will face no issues in meeting the 26-year-old’s wage demands.

    TRANSFER RATING: 6/10

    HIRVING LOZANO

    Hirving Lozano

    PSV Eindhoven -> €42m  -> Monaco

    Serie A club Napoli had a deal in place to sign Mexican winger Hirving Lozano for a transfer fee of €42m. But disagreement regarding the image rights of the player has facilitated the entry of Ligue 1 side Monaco into the tussle.

    France Football maintain that Monaco are willing to meet the player’s demand of a €4m annual wage and let him keep his image rights.

    WHY IT WILL HAPPEN

    It is believed that Monaco are pushing to sign the 24-year-old despite signing Nigeria forward Henry Onyekuru on Monday. The club is willing to meet the player’s demands and could beat Napoli in the two-way tussle.

    After barely being able to survive in Ligue 1, Monaco will be tasked to display a significantly improved showing in the new season. A player like Lozano could bring a lot to the team and play a key role in their revival.

    WHY IT CAN’T HAPPEN

    Although Monaco are willing to meet the player’s demand, there are no reports that suggest that they have agreed on terms with PSV.

    Besides, Napoli could still make a come-back in the race for the player. The lack of flair on the wings could lead Napoli to desperation to seal the deal.

    TRANSFER RATING 5/10

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