Barcelona have bid £50 million for out of favour Chelsea forward Willian, according to reports.

Barca boss Ernesto Valverde has eyed Willian has one of a number of targets this summer as he looks to re-build his side to challenge for the Champions League last season.

And The Daily Mail reports that Willian’s representatives have been in Barcelona to begin negotiations with the Catalan side over the past week.

Chelsea are understood to have rejected the initial bid, and will hold out for more, mindful that Manchester United may also be willing to offer a more lucrative deal.

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is keen on a re-union with his former star, and is reportedly to offer Chelsea cash plus Anthony Martial in order to bring the Brazilian to Old Trafford.

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Willian made 55 appearances in all competitions for the Blues last term, winning the club’s Player of the Year award for his 13-goal haul, however publicly fell-out with manager Antonio Conte following the FA Cup final in May.

The 29-year-old was left out of the Italian’s starting line-up for the victory over Manchester United at Wembley, coming on in the 89th minute as a only a late substitute and subsequently posted a picture of Chelsea’s squad celebrating the win, blanking out Conte with a series of trophy emojis.

Speaking about his relationship with the Italian, Willian said last month: “I was happy with my performance during the season, I played very well I always try to do my best and work hard.

“Sometimes to stay on the bench is difficult but I respect the decision of the manager. “I don’t have anything more to say about my club because now I want to have focus here on the national team and the World Cup.”

Willian and Brazil take on Mexico in the last-16 of the tournament in Russia on Monday.