Reports in Spain and Italy claim that Barcelona and Juventus are poised to slug it out in their bid to sign Chelsea star Willian.

The 31-year-old’s contract expires at the end of the season and Corriere dello Sport claims Juve sporting director Fabio Paratici is weighing up a cut-price deal for the Brazilian in January.

Only yesterday, former Shakhtar Donetsk coach Mircea Lucescu suggested Willian would be an “ideal” signing for Maurizio Sarri’s side.

His resurgence this season under new Stamford Bridge chief Frank Lampard has convinced the Catalans the Old Lady they need to get him quickly.

According to Catalan sports daily Mundo Deportivo, Barca want the forward as the club need to freshen up their attack with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez moving toward the end of their Nou Camp careers.

Blues boss Lampard is also keen on keeping the South American, and the club are trying desperately to get him to sign a new deal so he does not leave for nothing next year.

Willian can sign a pre-contract in January with a foreign club.

And Nou Camp chiefs are ready top offer him a mega-money deal to lure him away from England.