Chelsea have player ‘in spotlight’ as transfer seems ‘inevitable’ – ‘Gesture’ encourages things

Links between Philippe Coutinho and Chelsea won’t leave the Spanish media.

With the Barcelona player’s future in some question for some time, Chelsea have been chosen as the club of the moment for stories about the Brazilian, taking over from Premier League rivals Manchester United.

Chelsea’s registration ban could of course prevent the club completing signings for the next two windows. Everything depends on that, but the claims are continuing regardless.

Catalan newspaper Sport report Chelsea have the player ‘in the spotlight’ as a replacement for Eden Hazard. That’s because the Belgian’s transfer now looks ‘completely inevitable’.

Hazard is thought to be off to Real Madrid, fulfilling his career-long dream, and whilst Coutinho isn’t like-for-like, he does have a good record in the Premier League.

What has encouraged these claims further is Coutinho’s ‘gesture’ against Manchester United in the Champions League. The former Liverpool player scored and then put his fingers in his ears, sending a message to those in Spain who have been doubting him.

Sport say that’s only encouraging the reports.