Barca wants chelsea winger

Barcelona are prepared to launch a bid for Chelsea winger Willian should they fail to land Philippe Coutinho in January, according to reports.

The La Liga giants' protracted interest in Coutinho resulted in them tabling three offers in the summer — all of which were knocked back by Liverpool.


Ernesto Valverde's side, however, have not been deterred and were given a boost when Coutinho handed in a transfer request.

Barcelona will launch a bid for Chelsea star Willian should they fail to land Philippe Coutinho

Coutinho handed in a transfer request this summer but Liverpool rebuffed three Barca bids

They will return to the prospect of signing the Brazilian in January. But should they fail again, Barca's top brass have, according to Goal, earmarked Coutinho's compatriot as Plan B.

The Catalans will bankroll any potential deal with the money made from the eye- watering £198million sale of Neymar to Paris Saint- Germain in the last window.

They did, however, fork out £96m to sign Ousmane Dembele from Borussia Dortmund, but still have over £100m to play with.

Barca CEO Oscar Grau has said the board are eyeing a big signing in January, with Coutinho in the forefront of their minds.

Barcelona, however, have earmarked Coutinho as their No 1 signing and will return in January

Willian and Coutinho share the same agent who facilitated Paulinho's move to the Nou Camp

'We are ready to buy Coutinho in the winter market, or any player the technical staff request,' Grau said.

Willian and his fellow Brazilian Coutinho share an agent, Giuliano Bertolucci.

Bertolucci played a key role in Paulinho's switch from Guangzhou Evergrande to the Nou Camp and Barca hope he can deliver at least one of their main targets in the next window.

The Chelsea winger has been on the periphery of Antonio Conte's team this season — starting only seven games in all competitions — but has netted four times.

Willian has started seven and come on from the bench in seven this season - scoring four goals