Chelsea have reportedly started negotiating terms with Barcelona over a deal for Philippe Coutinho.
The Brazilian playmaker has spent 2019-20 on loan with Bayern Munich after struggling to make an impression during his 18 months at Camp Nou.
Coutinho, who joined the La Liga giants in a £142m move from Liverpool, is unlikely to make his loan stay with Bayern permanent.
Barca are actively looking for bidders willing to sign the 27-year-old and, according to Spanish outlet Sport, Chelsea have made their interest official.
The report claims that the Blues are unwilling to trigger Coutinho's hefty release clause and are instead discussing a new price with Barca.
Speaking earlier this month, agent Kia Joorabchian revealed that the ex-Liverpool star would "love" to return to the Premier League.
Everton, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are the other sides to have been linked with Coutinho, who has directly contributed to 14 goals in 22 Bundesliga matches for Bayern this term.
Daniel Lewis
