Chelsea prepare world record offer for Barcelona playmaker Iniesta

Chelsea are ready to break the world transfer record for Barcelona midfield schemer Andres Iniesta.

The Daily Mail says English side have identified the 24-year-old as the man to get Luiz Felipe Scolari's under-performers back on track, according to reports in Spain.

Chelsea are said to have made a £42million bid for the attacking midfielder two years ago and are set to renew their interest in the summer.

Barcelona were happy to let Deco move to Stamford Bridge before the start of the season because Iniesta was more than an adequate replacement.

And with the Brazilian now struggling to recreate his early-season form, Chelsea may share that sentiment, though there are doubts over how much spending that Roman Abramovich will sanction.

The well-connected Confidential column in Catalan-based Sport newspaper - which has close links to Barca - reports that Chelsea are preparing a bid, but that a move is likely to be resisted.