Chelsea are chasing Barcelona midfielder Philippe Coutinho - despite a transfer ban hanging over them.

Sport says the London club are ready to provide the Brazil star with a route out of the Nou Camp after his first full season in La Liga, but the transfer 'rests in FIFA's hands'.

Chelsea need to overturn the two-window ban imposed upon them by FIFA for breaching rules regarding signing players under the age of 18.

Coutinho has struggled to settle in Barcelona's side following his £142million move from Liverpool in January 2018 and could be enticed into a Premier League return.

His potential move to Chelsea would also help cover the impending exit of Eden Hazard, who is widely expected to sign for Real Madrid in the summer.