Philippe Coutinho’s comments amid talk of a return to the Premier League could be great news for Chelsea ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Brazil international’s future at Barcelona has been questioned in recent weeks having not quite lived up to the standards expected following his £142m move from Liverpool 13 months ago.
However, the attacking midfielder insists he’s happy at the Camp Nou and thus has shut down rumours that he could join the Blues or Premier League rivals Manchester United in the summer.
“My head is exclusively in Barcelona,” he told the Daily Mirror . “Returning to England now does not fit into my plans.
“This is my second season here. I have won titles but I am always an ambitious and demanding player. So, I want more and more.
“But I’m happy. I wanted to play in Spain and I’m at the best club in Spain.”Whilst Coutinho’s comments could be seen as a blow to the west London outfit to some supporters, it could be a blessing in disguise as it would almost certainly rule Barcelona out of the running to sign Eden Hazard.
That would be one less club to worry about in their attempts to tie down the forward.
The Belgian is out of contract at the end of next season, but links to fellow La Liga giants Real Madrid refuse to go away and reports this weekend have suggested a move to the Santiago Bernabeu is imminent.
Although, with a two transfer-window ban hanging over the club’s head at the moment, fans are hoping that Hazard stays for at least one more season.