Chelsea emerge as the favorites to sign Barcelona outcast Philippe Coutinho

Amid interest from numerous Premier League clubs, Chelsea are currently looking like the favorites to sign the Brazilian…

Philippe Coutinho struggled to adjust to life in Spain after joining Barcelona in the summer of 2018 from Liverpool, making 76 appearances for the club across a year and a half, scoring just 21 times. The La Liga giants then sent the midfielder off to Bayern Munich on a season-long loan, where he bagged nine goals and tallied eight assists in 32 matches this term.

But Coutinho hasn’t impressed Bayern enough for them to pay the 105 million euros that he would cost if they wanted to make his move from Barca permanent.

There has been a lot of speculation that the 27-year old could be on his way back to England, with Arsenal, Manchester United, and Chelsea the most interested clubs from the Premier League. According to reports from Spanish outlet Sport, Frank Lampard’s side is the current favorites to sign Coutinho, who became an absolute star with Liverpool before leaving for the Catalan club.

There have been talks that Quique Setien could have the Bayern loanee in his plans for next season at Camp Nou, but on the other hand, the club is looking for the necessary funds to buy Inter Milan star, Lautaro Martinez.

Barca is looking to bring in 90 million euros for Coutinho in order to give them money for this summer’s transfer window, but with Coronavirus likely around for many more months, they could give him up for a lot less.

More from Chelsea FC

• Tuchel has eyes on Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah
• Permanent move of Cobham graduate Lewis Hall to Newcastle United
• Chelsea are not pleased with the Lukaku-Vlahović swap deal
• Chelsea joins the race against Liverpool for Romeo Lavia
• Blues select Reece James as captain and Chilwell is new vice-captain

Chelsea is looking to build their squad to contend with the Premier League’s best next year but they aren’t looking to spend the amount that Barca is seeking for the Brazilian international. But with Coutinho keen on a return to England and Coronavirus affecting the summer transfer window from a money standpoint, the blues could get him for around 50 million euros.

Chelsea apparently has a great relationship with Coutinho’s agent Kia Joorabchian, which could play a vital part in agreeing to a deal for the former Liverpool man. The Blues have lacked consistent attacking threats this season and given Coutinho’s past success in the Premier League, this could be a good move for the blues.

They’ve already strengthened their squad by signing Ajax standout Hakim Ziyech and by adding a player of Coutinho’s quality as well, it will definitely help bolster their options in the final third.

With Willian, Olivier Giroud, and Pedro all likely to leave Stamford Bridge this summer, this could be a valuable signing for Lampard that could fill the void left by the aforementioned. Coutinho brings five years of Premier League experience while being a top-class playmaker and goal-scorer, something that Chelsea currently lacks.

This has the potential to be a good move for both Coutinho and Chelsea. He’s failed to find his breathtaking form since leaving Anfield and with a return to the league where he really made a name for himself, Coutinho could return to the player he once was.

The Brazilian playmaker may resurrect his career and help Chelsea compete with the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City at the top of the table.

Arsenal has been linked to Coutinho since last summer and could also be a possible fit for him. But as of right now, Chelsea is leading the race for Philippe Coutinho’s signature.