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Chelsea Want Philippe Coutinho To Replace Eden Hazard, If Transfer Ban Is Lifted

Chelsea Want Philippe Coutinho To Replace Eden Hazard, If Transfer Ban Is Lifted

The Chelsea forward is expected to leave for Real Madrid very soon and the former Liverpool player is in their sights.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Chelsea might currently be under a transfer ban but if they manage to get it suspended to overturned then they will turn to Philippe Coutinho to replace Eden Hazard, according to reports.

Eden Hazard's move from Chelsea to Real Madrid is more inevitable than your body suddenly deciding it needs to fart when someone attractive walks into the lift that you're in on your own.

The Belgian has been fluttering his eyelids in the direction of the Bernabeu for a couple of years now and Zinedine Zidane's decision to return to Real to manage less than a year after leaving made all but sure of Hazard's move.

Such is the feeling that he will move that there's even been reports that the former Lille man will be revealed in the Spanish capital on Monday, just days after helping Chelsea win the Europa League.

The big problem for the Blues is that right now it doesn't look like they'll be able to replace Hazard, should he leave (might as well have said when), is that they're currently under a transfer ban.

However according to Italian journalist, and transfer genius, Gianluca di Marzio, Chelsea have identified Barcelona midfielder Philippe Coutinho as Hazard's replacement, if they are allowed to make transfers.

Could Coutinho return to the Premier League with Chelsea? Image: PA Images
Could Coutinho return to the Premier League with Chelsea? Image: PA Images

In the past Barcelona and Atletico Madrid were allowed to make transfers whilst their appeals to their own FIFA transfer bans were being made.

However for the Premier League club that wasn't granted, after an appeal to FIFA, and the club are now taking it up with the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Should they have the ban overturned, or at least delayed whilst they appeal, then Chelsea will look to Coutinho but Barca will look for around €150 million for the former Liverpool midfielder who only joined them 18 months ago.

Surely we'll finally see this in the summer.
Surely we'll finally see this in the summer.

It hasn't been a great time for the Brazilian since leaving the Premier League, despite being part of two La Liga winning campaigns, and there's a good chance he'll leave the Nou Camp this summer.

Barca have been linked with Antoine Griezmann and a move for the Atletico Madrid forward would need Barca to sell someone.

Will Chelsea get their hands on Coutinho or will their summer just be as disappointing as the feeling after you've had to let that fart go in the lift?

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Topics: Liverpool, Football News, Eden Hazard, Chelsea, Barcelona, Transfer stories, Philippe Coutinho, Transfer rumours, Premier League, Transfer news, Real Madrid, La Liga