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Barcelona identify Chelsea midfielder Willian as backup target?

Barca identify Willian as backup target?
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Barcelona will reportedly move for Chelsea midfielder Willian if they fail to complete a deal for Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho.

Chelsea midfielder Willian has reportedly emerged as a possible transfer target for Barcelona during the January window.

During the closing weeks of the summer, Barca attempted to push through a deal for Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho, only for the Merseyside giants to maintain their stance that the Brazilian was not for sale.

The Catalan giants are likely to return with an improved offer in January but according to Goal.com, Ernesto Valverde has identified Coutinho's compatriot as his backup option.

Willian netted important goals against Qarabag and Liverpool last week, but the 29-year-old has been in and out of Antonio Conte's starting lineup since the beginning of the season.

In total, Willian has made nine starts and 10 substitute appearances in all competitions this season, with his three goals all coming in the past 10 days.

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho also allegedly holds an interest in a player whom he coached during his time at Stamford Bridge, but Willian still has over two-and-a-half years remaining on his contract.

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Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Christian Eriksen in action during the Premier League clash with Liverpool at Anfield on February 11, 2017
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool18143145172845
2Arsenal19116238172139
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1911442619737
4Chelsea19105438231535
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle1995532211132
6Manchester CityMan City199463226631
7Bournemouth198652923630
8Fulham197842825329
9Aston Villa198562831-329
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton196942928127
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1973941281324
12Brentford197393335-224
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham196582335-1223
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd196492126-522
15Crystal Palace194872027-720
16Everton183871524-917
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1944113142-1116
18Ipswich TownIpswich1936101833-1515
19Leicester CityLeicester1935112242-2014
20Southampton1913151239-276


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