Tottenham are ready to compete with Chelsea for Barcelona midfielder Philippe Coutinho.

Chelsea have expressed an interest in the Barcelona star who is surplus to requirements at the Spanish club and at Bayern Munich with the Germans unwilling to make his loan permanent.

Barcelona are already believed to have been in talks with Chelsea over a potential loan switch, says the Mirror.

The sticking point in the deal is Barcelona are keen for any loan to include an obligation for the loaning club to buy Coutinho at the end of it.

That could give Spurs an advantage if they are prepared to include such a clause in a loan deal.

Spurs were keen on signing Coutinho last summer but had to break off negotiations.