Chelsea ahead in race to sign Barcelona star at end of season

Reports in Spain claim that Chelsea are favourites to land Barcelona playmaker Philippe Coutinho next season and have already made an approach.

The Brazil international is currently on a season-long loan deal at Bayern Munich while a report earlier in the day from Diario Sport claimed Blaugrana boss Quique Setien is open to welcoming him back into the first-team squad next season.

Football Espana claim that the most likely structure of the deal would be an upfront loan deal for one season, with a purchase option linked into the move.

Inter are also said to hold an interest, with the report suggesting that this could be linked into the Catalan giants attempting to land striker Lautaro Martinez from the Nerazzurri.

Bayern – where the player is currently on a season-long loan deal from the Blaugrana – have an option to buy the Brazil international for €120m at the end of the campaign but multiple reports suggest this will not be exercised.

A report in El Mundo Deportivo last month claimed the Catalan giants have lowered their asking price for the playmaker to €80m as they look to balance their books.

Inter Milan eyeing Manchester Utd star, Arsenal striker as replacements for Barcelona target Lautaro Martinez

There are reports in Italy that Inter Milan are looking at Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Manchester United star Anthony Martial amid Barcelona’s interest in Lautaro Martinez.

According to Calciomercato.com, the Nerazzurri are preparing for life after the Argentine hero, who reportedly has a release clause of €111m in his current deal at San Siro.

Football Italia report that Barca are ready to trigger the clause and the outlet claims Antonio Conte has already started looking for a replacement.

Gabon international Aubameyang will turn 31 in June and his current deal with Arsenal expires in 2021 but could be open for a return to Milan if the Gunners miss out on a place in the Champions League next term.

Aubameyang has been on hot form in London and has already scored 17 goals in 26 League games for the Gunners.

Calciomercato.com has pulled the French attacker Martial up from the hat, as he has been a previous target of the Nerazzurri, claiming that he would be back on the wish list at the Giuseppe Meazza and could potentially reunite with his old partner Romelu Lukaku.

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