Chelsea Prepare Massive Move for $86m Barcelona Star

Chelsea are ready to move in for Barcelona’s loaned out playmaker Philippe Coutinho according to a number of European news publications.

The 27-year-old former Liverpool man has proven a moderate success during his loan spell at German giants Bayern Munich and by all accounts Barcelona are keen on selling the attacker but the Allianz Arena club are not interested in following up their interest.

The Blues may well feel the need to strengthen their attacking options this summer and Barcelona may well be ready to accept a fee in the region of $86m, which is some way below the $174m the Catalan side paid Liverpool for the player back in January 2018, albeit a portion of the purchase price was linked to achievements that are likely not fulfilled.

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard is one of a number of coaches keen on Coutinho with some sources claiming that Tottenham, Manchester United, Arsenal and even Leicester City taking a keen interest in a player who is clearly world-class when at his best.

One wonders if Coutinho would be keen to move to another English side having spent five years at Anfield but clearly if he wishes to keep his footballing career moving in a positive direction then he will have to consider all options.

A move back to Barcelona seems unlikely given the number of players are ahead of Coutinho in the pecking order.

Over the course of his time in Spain Coutinho has scored 21 goals in 86 appearances and in both campaigns at the La Liga side he failed to shine consistently enough given his price-tag.