Barcelona midfielder Philippe Coutinho has been keen on a move to Chelsea, it has been revealed.

Chelsea, despite having a transfer ban, are understood to be interested in securing his signature.

The Blues are unable to make any signings until the summer of 2020.

They are waiting to see if that will remain the case, though, with their appeal set to be judged by the Court of Arbitration.

And Coutinho, reports El Pais, asked to leave Barcelona three months ago.

That means that, as far back as February, he was eager to leave Catalonia behind.