Chelsea join Man Utd on red alert after Barcelona flop Coutinho tells team-mates he is considering leaving
The former Liverpool star has not lived up to his £145million price tag since joining the Spanish giants last year
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CHELSEA have reportedly joined Manchester United on red alert after Philippe Coutinho admitting he is considering leaving Barcelona.
The Brazilian, 26, joined the Spanish giants for a whopping £145million just 14 months ago but things have not gone according to plan.
He has scored just nine goals in 41 appearances this season and has fallen out of favour with manager Ernesto Valverde.
And according to , Coutinho is desperate to rediscover the form he showed at Liverpool.
He is thought to have told some of his Brazilian pals: "I am thinking about leaving Barcelona, I know that it is a difficult decision, but it can be the best thing for my career."
Of course, Coutinho enjoyed five stellar years in the Premier League with the Reds.
His long-range strikes and spectacular free-kicks became somewhat of a trademark in his latter seasons at Anfield.
After forcing through his dream move to Spain, though, he is unlikely to go back to Liverpool.
RETURN TO ENGLAND
But a return to the Premier League could be on the cards, although Barca deny he is for sale.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - appointed permanent Old Trafford boss this week - could be tempted to make a move but it is understood the Catalans would demand Marcus Rashford in return.
According to the , Chelsea are also interested in the playmaker.
If they have their transfer ban postponed, the Blues are expected to splash the cash this summer.
And the signing of a proven Premier League star could be exactly what Roman Abramovich wants, especially if Chelsea allow Eden Hazard to join Real Madrid.
But one of the major problems for the Brazilian during his time at Barcelona has been his position.
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The Nou Camp club initially saw him as the man to replace Andres Iniesta on the left of a midfield three but Valverde has opted to deploy him in a wide left role instead - and he simply has not been effective.
Whether Maurizio Sarri - or a potential replacement - would be able to get the best out of Coutinho again remains unclear.
Coutinho would no doubt settle back in England quickly - and could be helped out by compatriots at Chelsea David Luiz and Willian or Fred and Andreas Perreira at United.