Manchester United must do battle with Chelsea to bring Philippe Coutinho back to the Premier League.
Barcelona paid £142million for the Brazilian last January and he won La Liga and Copa del Rey honours in his first few months.
But now he is struggling to hold down a place in Ernesto Valverde’s starting line-up.
Barca are believed to be willing to sell Coutinho to fund a potential reunion for Neymar from Paris Saint-Germain, who need to meet Financial Fair Play regulations.
The Blues have asked Barcelona to keep them in touch with any plans they have to offload former Liverpool star.
He has dropped below Ousmane Dembele in pecking order and it has led United to make an enquiry.
Chelsea have been quoted around £100m for Coutinho – but they are not scared off by the fee.
Dembele would hold the key to the Brazilians future at the Camp Nou.
Marca now suggest that the Frenchman could be pivotal in whether Coutinho remains at the Catalan club or not.
Coutinho is unsettled in Spain despite only signing a five-year contract with the La Liga leaders at the start of last year.
His performances have impressed Barca chiefs, who signed the player as a replacement for former superstar Neymar.
Dembele has been brought in from the cold, after question marks over his commitment earlier in the season have been put to one side.
The 21-year-old was criticised previously in the campaign for failing to report to training one day - but is now a key member of Valverde's squad.
Should Dembele keep his place in the Barca side, it would do little to reassure Coutinho that his future lies with the Spanish giants.
NeoFlow11
146
It's funny how medias can make something fake into being serious. 😂😂😂
PrinceSl
130
Lol funny news, the same way Arsenal signed Dembele for 80 million when he was being benched. Stop posting fake news, Coutinho is not going anywhere. He love Barcelona and the fans love him.
isaacjunior
99
IF YOU NEED COUTINHO BRING 180M , BESIDES COUTINHO STILL HAS A BRIGHT FUTURE AT BARCELONA, AND I DONT THINK BARCA WILL SELL HIM NOW...notforsale
Nesaiknruy_Legend
72
1. We aren't exactly the best destination for a player to leave and come to considering our recent run of games. 2. I don't see the Coutinho rumours even being real cos the same was said about Dembele and now he's playing in the Barca squad with no qualms. Coutinho will eventually get time. Fraudverde might be a fraud but he does rotate so I have to give him that... Coutinho to Chelsea is not happening and same for United. Just Transfer rumours to hype up a dead transfer window... nothing special has happened as usual for a January window...
CristoJosep
46
Coutinho indeed strugless and face cricis doe lack of playing!Dembele find a good form and shows he is a barca future.Speculations of selling Cout -to bring Neymar are fake !But for the case of DeYong might be some sense.,coz selling Cout would open the door to De yong in first squad.Arthuro Vidal,Rakitic,Busquets getting older and l see the midfield in future very strong.Rabiot,Arthur,De jong,Alena.I love the midfield wright now with our midfielders but getting old and all passed 30 years.So if we think better that selling Coutinho would be benefit.Even if Cout have a lot of fans that is the fact.