Olympique Marseille coach Jorge Sampaoli is targeting Barcelona midfielder Philippe Coutinho.

Brazilian media sources say Sampaoli is a big fan of Coutinho and has discussed his signing with OM chief Pablo Longoria.

Longoria is in the process of signing midfielder Gerson from Flamengo, though initial enquiries have also been made for Coutinho.

The stumbling block will be Coutinho's wages, which are outside OM's budget.

However, Sampaoli is pushing for Coutinho to be signed and has spoken with his entourage about the prospect of moving to France this summer.