Philippe Coutinho: Everything is a possibility over player’s future, says agent Kia Joorabchian

The agent of Philippe Coutinho insists “everything is a possibility” when it comes to the future of the Brazil midfielder.

Coutinho is currently on loan at Bayern Munich from Barcelona, although the German club are not expected to make the deal permanent despite him contributing nine goals in 32 matches prior to the suspension of the Bundesliga due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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The 27-year-old is relaxed about his future, but remains open to a return to the Premier League with clubs such as Chelsea, Everton and Arsenal are among those interested in signing him.

His representative – Kia Joorabchian – insists he will not influence any decision taken by Coutinho, even though it may mean the club he supports misses out.

“The fact I’m an Arsenal supporter is not a secret,” Joorabchian said, speaking exclusively to Sky Sports News.

“I don’t have any preference where the players go. I don’t try to push someone to one club or another. Everything is a possibility.

“The question is what are going to be the financial conditions of all the clubs, including Barcelona and all the Premier League clubs at the end of this pandemic.”

Joorabchian has players in lockdown all over the world and he speaks to each of them at least once every two days.

As well as Coutinho in Germany, Chelsea’s Willian is back in his native Brazil, Arsenal’s David Luiz remains in London and Oscar is in a hotel room with his family in Shanghai.

“Everyone wants to stay safe, stay healthy and get back to training. Everyone is trying to stay positive,” Joorabchian said.

Despite his reputation as a deal-maker, Joorabchian does not appear concerned about prices potentially falling in the transfer market.

In fact, he seems more concerned for everyone’s health, and England’s National Health Service.

“I want to say how grateful and thankful I am to the people in the NHS on the frontline,” he said.

“I have a lot of friends who work there and I know what they and their families are going through. They are doing an incredible job and you can’t put a value on that.”

There is a ray of hope as far as Joorabchian is concerned and that is the improving situation in China.

Life there is slowly getting back to normal and Oscar is due to return to training with Shanghai SIPG on Monday. He has been in quarantine in a hotel room with his wife and children since he returned to China two weeks ago.

He has not played or trained with his team-mates since the Chinese season ended in November last year. Joorabchian believes there is a chance the Chinese Super League could get back under way at the end of June, which could also be the time when football returns in Europe.

“Oscar never complains,” Joorabchian said. “He’s extremely grateful that he’s going to start training again.”

Thousands of miles in Brazil, Willian is training on his own at his family home. He was given permission by Chelsea to fly home but he is ready to come back as soon as it is safe to start training and playing again in England.

Although his contract runs out at the end of June, he is committed to finishing the current campaign with Chelsea whenever that may be, even though it is looking less likely that he will be at Stamford Bridge for 2020-21.

“There is a lot of speculation but I can genuinely explain to you we have not spoken about transfers or anything like that,” Joorabchian said.

“No one has the right feeling. Neither us nor the other side have the feeling to discuss something when so much is happening around the world that is so much more important.”

(c) Sky Sports 2020: Philippe Coutinho: Everything is a possibility over player’s future, says agent Kia Joorabchian