Chelsea have approached Barcelona for outcast midfielder Philippe Coutinho, claims The Daily Express.
Barcelona made Coutinho one of the most expensive players of all-time to sign the Brazil international from Liverpool 12 months ago but things have not gone to plan.
Coutinho has dropped out of favour this season and there are even reports claiming the creative midfielder has until the end of the season to salvage his future at the club.
With Barcelona keen to bolster their midfield options at the end of the season, coupled with the fact Ousmane Dembele has usurped Coutinho in the pecking order for places, the 26-year-old may have no choice but to leave in the summer.
A January exit has already been ruled out of the equation but Chelsea are reportedly keen on the £100m-rated Brazilian.
Maurizio Sarri’s side are too reliant on Eden Hazard for creativity and goals and particularly lack a goalscoring midfielder, which is one of the positions Coutinho can operate in.
Only Premier League sides are likely to be able to afford Coutinho and Manchester United have even been linked with a shock move for the former Liverpool star.
Coutinho has only started 10 league matches for Barcelona this season and contributed four goals and two assists.
Since the beginning of last season, only Lionel Messi (13) and Enis Bardhi (7) have scored more goals than Coutinho (5) from outside the box in La Liga.
