Chelsea are locked in talks with Barcelona over signing Philippe Coutinho, according to Catalan publication Sport.
The newspaper describes the two sides as being “very close” to an agreement, although the details in the article itself very much suggest otherwise.
Barca are looking for €90m (£79.5m) for Coutinho; a figure which Sport claim Chelsea have no intention of matching. The Blues hold all the cards in the negotiations with the former Liverpool player wanting a move back to the Premier League, while the La Liga club need the cash to sign other players.
Fans on Twitter have had a mixed reaction to the news, with some wanting the Brazilian to sign, while others worrying it means that they have all but given up on signing Jadon Sancho:
Please be true ??
— Cass (@Cassidyy86) April 21, 2020
I think we’re going to sign Coutinho because Sancho won’t join us.
— _ChelseaPat (@_ChelseaPat) April 21, 2020
Hope to god this is true, what a player ??
— Tom Clifford (@tomcliffordcfc) April 21, 2020
If we get him then sancho is 100% off imo
— Jack Clarke (@_jackclarke__) April 21, 2020
I’d be ok with it. Prem experience and quality player when his on form. Loan with option to buy would be good ??♂️
— Daffs (@DaSeblue) April 21, 2020
Let’s hope it’s legit bro
— Gaza. (@Sadatsalifu4) April 21, 2020
Hope this is true but don't think so.
— Billy Gilmour (@BillyGilmourSZN) April 21, 2020
Good news tbf
— Tyson Creme ?? (@TysonCreme) April 21, 2020
Hope its a loan deal !
— ChelseaDagger (@MrChelseaDagger) April 21, 2020
Sancho has reportedly already agreed personal terms with Manchester United so perhaps that ship has already sailed. In Coutinho’s case, Spurs and Arsenal are also said to be interested but, as things stand, it seems Chelsea are very much in the driving seat for his signature.
