Chelsea have reportedly been informed that it will take a nine-figure sum to prise Philippe Coutinho away from Barcelona in the summer transfer window.
The Blues are believed to have turned to the Brazil international in their pursuit of a replacement for Real Madrid-bound Eden Hazard, whose switch to the Bernabeu is expected to be finalised by the end of the month.
Despite his lack of impact at Camp Nou since arriving from Liverpool in a £142m deal 18 months ago, Chelsea supposedly believe Coutinho can still do a job in the Premier League, where he has previously impressed across five years on Merseyside.
According to Spanish newspaper Sport, however, it will take a bid of at least £100m to persuade Barca to offload as they want to recoup as much money as possible for the 26-year-old.
Chelsea must first successfully appeal the transfer ban handed to them by FIFA with the Court of Arbitration for Sport, though, which if unsuccessful means that they will have to wait another year before adding players to their squad.
Liverpool and Manchester United have also been linked with Coutinho over the past six months.
Daniel Lewis
