Bayern Munich Set for Summer Clear Out With Philippe Coutinho & Ivan Perišić Nearing Exit Door
By Tom Gott
Bayern Munich have been tipped to part ways with a number of big names in the summer as they look to bounce back from a disappointing season.
Hansi Flick's side sit third in the Bundesliga standings, which is far from acceptable at the Allianz Arena. They were forced to sack former boss Niko Kovač to try and salvage their season, and despite an upturn in form, they have still failed to live up to their high standards.
To try and ensure nothing like this happens again, Bild claim that Bayern are contemplating a huge summer exodus to rejuvenate the team and fire themselves back to the league title.
One of the most notable names on the list is Philippe Coutinho. The Brazilian joined on loan from Barcelona in the summer, and he has chipped in with a respectable seven goals and seven assists in all competitions this season, but there are fears that he has not shown enough to justify triggering the €120m option Bayern have to make the deal permanent.
A return to Barcelona to work under new manager Quique Setién could be possible, while Coutinho has always had plenty of suitors in the Premier League, including Chelsea and Manchester United.
Another loan player who could be returning to his parent club is winger Ivan Perišić. The Croatian has failed to make an impact since joining from Inter and is almost certainly going to be sent packing at the end of the campaign.
Inter don't want him either, so a long-awaited switch to the Premier League could be on the cards. United have been linked with Perišić since the dawn of time, and current Tottenham Hotspur boss José Mourinho is thought to be a big fan.
Thiago Alcântara, who has just 18 months remaining on his contract, is also tipped to leave after dividing opinion at Bayern. He is another to have been linked with United in the past, so expect an infinite amount of United transfer nonsense over the coming months.
Leon Goretzka, Joshua Kimmich, Javi Martínez and Jérôme Boateng are all fighting for their Bayern lives as well, meaning the Bundesliga side could be in for a busy summer.
Out of that group, the one player who it would come as a surprise to see sold is Kimmich. The German has impressed since being shifted into midfield, and Flick recently admitted to Kicker that he sees a bright future for Kimmich.
However, Bayern are a club who always demand the maximum from their players, so perhaps they are prepared to see what sort of return they could get for Kimmich.