Transfer Centre

Chelsea want Philippe Coutinho as Eden Hazard replacement?

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 01 February 2019

Chelsea want Coutinho as Hazard replacement?

A report claims that Barcelona's Philippe Coutinho has been eyed up as a replacement for Eden Hazard should Chelsea lose the Belgian to Real Madrid in the summer.

Chelsea reportedly already have plans in place to bring in Philippe Coutinho from Barcelona in the summer as a replacement for Real Madrid-bound Eden Hazard.

The Belgian forward has done little to play down talk of an end-of-season switch to the European champions, and Maurizio Sarri admits that the final decision will be down to the player.

Hazard's exit will leave a huge void to be filled, but Mundo Deportivo claims that Chelsea have identified Coutinho as an ideal replacement in their attack.

Coutinho has spent just a year at Camp Nou but has been in and out of the side and is said to be considering his future, with Barca allegedly prepared to offload him if a serious offer is tabled.

Negotiations will begin later this year, it is claimed, with Chelsea keen to bring the Brazil international back to the Premier League, where he thrived for Liverpool prior to his £142m exit in January 2018.

A new central midfielder is also believed to be on Sarri's list of priorities, having failed to replace Cesc Fabregas during the winter transfer window.