Chelsea are set to rival Manchester United in the race to sign Philippe Coutinho from Barcelona , according to reports.
The former Liverpool star has struggled to live up to his £142million price tag this season, scoring just nine times in 41 appearances in all competitions.
Coutinho has been in and out of Ernesto Valverde’s team in recent months and was heckled by a section of Barcelona fans during the Catalan club’s 3-1 win over Rayo Vallecano at the Nou Camp on March 9.
He has since reportedly made a decision about his long-term future and it seems increasingly likely that he will leave Barcelona.
(Image: Getty Images)
According to Catalan daily newspaper Sport , Coutinho told his Brazil teammates during the international break that he intends to find a new club.
The midfielder started both of his country’s friendlies in the past week, a 1-1 draw against Panama and a 3-1 win over the Czech Republic.
Coutinho is reported to have told his international colleagues: “I’m thinking of leaving Barca, I know that it’s a hard decision but it could be the best thing for my career.”
(Image: AFP/Getty Images)
The Brazilian star has been linked with a move to Old Trafford, but United are aware that Barcelona would ask for Marcus Rashford to be included in any deal.
United would obviously be reluctant to let the England star leave, but according to the Express, Chelsea are also interested in bringing Coutinho back to the Premier League.
The Blues were slapped with a transfer ban by FIFA in February, preventing them from signing players for the next two transfer windows.
However, they are hopeful that it will be suspended and if that happens then Roman Abromovich could sanction a move to end Coutinho’s unhappy spell in Spain – freeing up Eden Hazard to depart for Real Madrid .
