Barcelona ace Philippe Coutinho has reportedly ruled out a move to Manchester United, leaving the door open for Chelsea to pounce.
The Brazil international is believed to have been targeted by the Premier League pair ahead of the summer window.
Coutinho has only spent the last 15 months at Camp Nou, but he has failed to justify his £142m price tag and Barca may look elsewhere for a new creative talent.
Spanish outlet Sport suggests that the 26-year-old would be open to a return to English football, where he thrived for Liverpool before his January 2018 departure, but he does not want to join the Red Devils.
United supporters jeered Coutinho throughout last week's Champions League quarter-final first leg, making it clear that they will not forget his Liverpool past, and the attacking midfielder does not want to betray his former side.
Chelsea are the only other realistic option for Coutinho, it is claimed, though they can only push ahead with a bid if their two-window transfer ban is delayed until 2020.
Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain are rumoured to be in the running as Neymar has pushed his club to make a move for his compatriot and close friend.
Daniel Lewis
