Barcelona sports chief Eric Abidal says the expectation is that Philippe Coutinho will remain with Bayern Munich.

Coutinho is currently on-loan in Germany from Barca, with the deal carrying a permanent option.

And Abidal is adamant they expect the Brazil international to be signed outright.

He told Sport, "Coutinho? He's in a club that likes him. Bayern's philosophy is different from that of the clubs he has frequented. He is a player that Bayern needed because they did not have his profile. He's their best player.

"I understand he will continue there. Adaptation is not easy, but I think he will go far and it will work."