Barcelona Identify Surprise Philippe Coutinho Replacement And Have Already Made Contact About Deal

Barcelona have reportedly made contact with former Chelsea midfielder Oscar about a shock move to the Camp Nou following the departure of Philippe Coutinho.

It was confirmed on Monday evening that Coutinho has completed his medical at Premier League side Aston Villa, with the Brazilian all set to reunite with former Liverpool teammate Steven Gerrard.

The 29-year-old, who joined the Catalan giants in a reported £142 million deal back in 2018, will join on loan until the end of the season.

"I don't think you get a nickname as a 𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗻 if you're not a special footballer." ✨

Steven Gerrard on Philippe Coutinho, who has agreed terms to spend the rest of this season on loan at Villa Park, with an option to buy. 🤝 pic.twitter.com/BFbxhGLxkR

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) January 7, 2022

It is believed Villa are paying less than 50% of Coutinho's weekly wage plus bonuses, according to Sky Sports, with an option to buy in place to aquire the attacking midfielder for £33 million this summer.

So will Barcelona move to replace the player? Well, it appears Xavi Hernandez's side are trying to bring in one of the Chinese Super League's biggest stars to the Camp Nou this month.

Oscar, who joined Shanghai SIPG in 2016, is believed to be of interest, with Barca already making contact with the player about a move - although progress has been difficult, according to Brazilian publication TNT Sports.

EXCLUSIVO! Segundo apuração do nosso @marcelobechler, o Barcelona procurou o meia Oscar, atualmente no Shanghai SIPG, da China! O contato foi feito no início do ano, mas a dificuldade financeira do time espanhol dificulta a negociação. 💰❌ E aí, acha que seria uma boa? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/ngKrg4QgHd

— TNT Sports Brasil (@TNTSportsBR) January 10, 2022

The midfielder is currently under contract at SIPG until 2024 and if reports are to be believed, the Brazilian is earning a major pay packet in China, meaning Barcelona's financial situation could be a stumbling block.

But if they did manage to secure a deal to sign Oscar then the Spanish club would have a very capable player on their hands.

Since joining Shanghai, he has notched 37 goals and 73 assists in 113 appearances, and helped the club secure a Chinese Super League title in 2018.

Last year, Oscar revealed that he would like to retire at former club Chelsea.

"I think about finishing at Chelsea because I had good times before at the club," he told talkSPORT.

"Chelsea helped me a lot to improve and to do what I always dreamed [of], which was to play in the Champions League and they helped me to play in the World Cup and to win the Premier League.

"I have a lot of friends at Chelsea. If I have a chance to finish my career at Chelsea, it's a dream for me.

"Of course, Chelsea don't like to buy too many older players, which is normal because it's a top team from Europe, but I will try my best to be fit to finish there."

🙏 "It's a dream for me."

👍 "I have good times before at Chelsea. Chelsea helped me a lot to improve."

✅ "Chelsea don't like too many older players. But I'll try my best to be fit."@Oscar8 exclusively tells talkSPORT that he wants to retire at #CFC. 🔵 pic.twitter.com/VoZszFWLBZ

— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) March 5, 2021

Do you think a deal to bring Oscar to the Camp Nou would be a sensible one?

Let us know in the comments.