Premier League side Chelsea has reportedly intensified its interest in Barcelona playmaker Phillipe Coutinho. The Blues have apparently begun talks with the representatives of the 27-year-old attacker ahead of what could be a loan move this summer.
Coutinho has widely been regarded as a flop after falling below expectations following his big-money move from Liverpool to Barca in January 2018. After failing to cement a spot in the first team and producing just 21 goals across a season and a half, the Brazilian international was shipped off to Bayern Munich in order to secure more playing time.
Nevertheless, his arrival in the Bundesliga has failed to yield anything extraordinary with the former Red registering just nine goals across 32 appearances. As a result, the Bavarians have given up on the prospect of making Coutinho's stay permanent and with Barcelona also looking to get the attacker off their books, a move away now seems inevitable.
According to Catalan news outlet Sport, the 27-year-old could make a return to the English Premier League by joining Chelsea. Both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United were also rumored to be interested in the player's service but Frank Lampard's side has apparently taken the lead in the pursuit.
Per the report, the Blues - who are already in advanced negotiation with Coutinho's representatives - will explore the option of securing his service on loan with an option to make his purchase from Barcelona permanent. Meanwhile, the Catalans will push for an "obligation to buy" clause to be included as they aim to offload the player completely.
Coutinho is expected to cost any suitor not less than 90 million euros although his price tag is subject to change after the coronavirus pandemic.
