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Philippe Coutinho has returned to Barcelona apparently with high hopes of having a role to play.
But he has received a harsh reality from the club on the eve of the new season after he was presented with his number 7 jersey.
The Brazilian playmaker received the iconic jersey two seasons ago when Arda Turan left the club after initially wearing the number 14 when his transfer to Liverpool was completed.
When he left on loan from Bayern Munich last summer, the number remained vacant throughout the season with LaLiga rules preventing him from giving it to someone else.
But, despite Coutinho’s return to the club, the number was handed over to Antoine Griezmann, as Barcelona confirmed the news in a clip with basketball star Kevin Durant.
(Image: EFE / PA Images)
The Frenchman took away the number 17 shirt when he headed to the Camp Nou from Atlético de Madrid with Coutinho already in the hand of number 7.
Griezmann now recovers the number he wore at Real Sociedad, Atlético de Madrid and France with the new number of Coutinho yet to be confirmed.
The news appears to be a clear indication of Coutinho’s position at the club, even though he hopes to win a role under new coach Koeman.
It has been claimed that he will have a chance to prove himself and could be deployed in a central midfielder role with the Dutchman.
(Image: POOL / AFP via Getty Images)
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But it is clear that he still faces an uphill task to salvage some of his Camp Nou career as he remains open to a possible return to the Premier League.
Agent Kia Joorabchian offered clarity on his future this month and hopes his client will stay in Spain.
Asked by talkSPORT if he expects Coutinho to stay at the Camp Nou, the player’s agent, Kia Joorabchian, said: “Yes. Koeman called him right after the Champions League win with Bayern, the next day, and told him that was very much in his plans and wanted him to return.
(Image: FC Barcelona)
“He was planning to come back on September 7, but actually he came back in early September because he didn’t want to lose momentum and fitness, and he has been training with Barcelona.
“All indications point to the fact that Barcelona has changed dramatically, the way their philosophy of how they wanted to advance from last year and the players they have brought in, like Coutinho, [Ousmane] Dembélé and [Antoine] Griezmann, everyone is going to be part of the squad this year. “
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