Coutinho wants Premier League return, says agent

Barcelona's Philippe Coutinho would like to return to the Premier League in the future but he could still extend his association with Bayern Munich, the player's agent told Sky Sports' Liam Grace.

Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge revealed in May that the club decided not to activate the €120-million purchase option for the on-loan playmaker. The news was naturally followed by speculation over where Coutinho could move ahead of the 2020-21 campaign.

"He has a desire to come back to the Premier League at some point," the Brazilian's representative, Kia Joorabchian, said.

"It may not happen this year, it may happen this year - we don't know. We really have not discussed anything for now."

Premier League clubs linked with a move for Coutinho include Arsenal, Leicester City, Newcastle United, and Tottenham Hotspur, ESPN's Sam Marsden reports. The 27-year-old left Liverpool for Barcelona in a €160-million transfer in 2018.

Although Rummenigge deferred on the option to buy Coutinho, there is still a possibility that Bayern could acquire the former Liverpool star for a cut-price fee or on fresh loan terms.

"It's up to Bayern Munich whether or not they want to extend the loan," Joorabchian said. "It's purely Bayern's decision, we have a will to stay, and we will see about next season when we get back to this 'new normal.'

"We've had some conversations with Bayern about next season (already)."

Coutinho is due back in training in the next few weeks after he underwent ankle surgery in April. He's made 22 appearances in the Bundesliga this season, scoring eight times and setting up six goals.