Barcelona boss Quique Setien has said that he is "counting on" Philippe Coutinho still being at Camp Nou beyond the end of this summer's transfer window.
The Brazil international has spent the 2019-20 campaign on loan at Bayern Munich, scoring nine times and contributing eight assists in 32 appearances for the German side in all competitions.
As it stands, Coutinho will return to Camp Nou this summer, but there have been suggestions that the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal are interested in signing him ahead of the 2020-21 season.
Setien has branded the 27-year-old "a great player", though, and suggested that there will be a spot in his squad for the South American next season.
"I think that Coutinho is a great player, I like him a lot. He is a Barca player. You have to pay the release clause or pay a fee to Barca [for him], but he wants to return here," Setien told RAC1.
"I am counting on him being here at the beginning of next season. I have to speak to him to ask. If it's necessary, I will speak to him."
A recent report claimed that the Spanish champions were considering using Coutinho as a makeweight in a move for Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante.
Matt Law
