Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville has questioned Chelsea’s interest in signing Barcelona attacking midfielder Philippe Coutinho while the club are in talks with their players about a potential wage cut.

It is believed that the Blues are in negotiations over a 10% to 15% salary reduction to help keep costs down during the enforced break in football, but Neville can’t see how it is justified if the Blues spend a large amount on Coutinho:

“It’s like a parallel universe. Cesar Azpilicueta has apparently been in talks with the Chelsea board over the past three weeks as they’re looking for a 10/15 per cent pay cut. For the Chelsea players to hear in the next breath that the club are looking to buy Philippe Coutinho for £75m… it’s like, ‘what one is it?'”

“If I was a player now I’d be looking at a wage deferral that potentially turns into a cut at a certain point in time. But if the club increase their budget or sign a player for £75m, you have to pay our money first. I’d say ‘you can’t go and sign a player for £75m and then say you can’t pay us fully’. It’s just illogical, it doesn’t make sense.”

Neville is certainly right to point out that spending a large sum on a new signing would suggest Chelsea are not short of cash.

However, it must be pointed out that most transfer fees are paid out in instalments over a few years, rather than upfront. In addition, the link to Coutinho is very much coming from the Catalan media with Barca trying to get the Brazilian off their books.

Chelsea could well be interested in Coutinho, but not necessarily for £75m. A loan deal, in view to a purchase, may also be considered.