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BAYERN

Bayern’s Müller sure of Bundesliga title win

Star player Thomas Müller has admitted the Bundesliga title race is over and it is just a matter of time before Bayern Munich are again crowned champions.

Bayern's Müller sure of Bundesliga title win
Thomas Müller in action for Bayern. Photo: DPA

"From a realistic point of view, the Bundesliga title has already been decided," the 24-year-old told Munich newspaper TZ with Bayern holding a 19-point lead at the top of the table.

"I don't think anyone is reckoning that we will lose six of our last remaining 12 matches when we haven't lost any of our 22 games up until now."

Müller is only stating what has been obvious for months, but it is the first time someone from the Bayern camp has admitted the title race is effectively decided.

Bayern have dropped just four points all season and are on course to repeat last season's treble of Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup.

They host fourth-placed Schalke 04 at Munich's Allianz Arena on Saturday evening and, if Pep Guardiola's team maintain their huge lead, they will be crowned champions by March 29th at the latest.

Bayern are set to again break the league record for the earliest confirmed league title win having been crowned champions last season with six matches to spare.

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BARCELONA

Barcelona stikes Coutinho loan deal with Bayern Munich

Barcelona have an "agreement in principle" to send Philippe Coutinho on loan to Bayern Munich, both clubs confirmed Friday.

Barcelona stikes Coutinho loan deal with Bayern Munich
The Brazilian midfielder joined Barcelona for €120m in January 2018. Photo: Pau Barrena/AFP
Coutinho was left out of the squad for Barca's La Liga opener against Athletic Bilbao on Friday, with club director Guillermo Amor confirming the Brazilian is close to joining Bayern.
   
“We can confirm that there is an agreement in principle for the loan of Coutinho to Bayern and we just have to finalise the deal,” Amor told Movistar, ahead of the game at San Mames.
   
Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic also confirmed the loan deal later on Friday.
   
“I can confirm that we were in Barcelona and have agreed terms with the player and his agent,” Salihamidzic told broadcaster ZDF following Bayern's own league opener, a 2-2 draw with Hertha Berlin.
   
“We have a good relationship with Barcelona. We are still missing a few details such as the signature and the medical, but we are happy to have got a player like him.”
   
Coutinho joined Barcelona from Liverpool in January 2018 for an initial 120 million euros ($133 million), plus another 40 million euros in potential add-ons.
   
But despite huge excitement around Coutinho's arrival, he has struggled to find his place at Camp Nou.
   
Initially tried in midfield, Coutinho was pushed into the front three by Ernesto Valverde last season in a bid to help him rediscover his best form.
   
Yet the 27-year-old was too often a bystander in games and some suggested his style and positioning clashed with Lionel Messi.
   
Gerard Pique was asked earlier this month about the possibility of Coutinho leaving. “I want him (Coutinho) to stay,” Pique said. “But at the end of the day it's what he wants and I want him to be happy.”
   
At Bayern, the Brazilian will provide welcome reinforcement in attack following the departure of Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery at the end of last season.
   
Coutinho's departure to Bayern could also have implications for Barcelona's hopes of re-signing Neymar from Paris Saint-Germain.
   
Barca have already spent around 250 million euros this summer and it had been suggested PSG were keen for Coutinho to be included in any bid.
   
“There is a lot of talk about Neymar at the moment,” Amor added. “He is in the newspapers every day and I don't think we should get into it now.   
 
“Anything can happen while the market is still open but for now there is nothing and Neymar is a PSG player.”
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