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Liverpool continue to insist Coutinho is not for sale despite Barca upping their latest offer to £138m for the Brazil star.

But the Spanish giants are now looking at Willian as one of several alternatives, and have held talks with his representatives.

The two players share the same agent and Barcelona are willing to test Chelsea’s resolve if they fail to land Coutinho.

Manchester United tried to sign Willian earlier this summer but the Blues refused to do business, and that stance has not changed.

Chelsea cannot afford to further weaken a squad Antonio Conte already believes is wafer thin and would not welcome a bid.

Conte wants at least three signings in before the window shuts, but are struggling to make headway with a number of targets.

Chelsea were facing defeat over Inter Milan wing-back Antonio Candreva last night with his agent insisting he’ll stay in Italy.

But they are hopeful of bringing in Danny Drinkwater for less than Leicester’s £40m asking price.

Foxes hitman Jamie Vardy, Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Southampton defender Virgil Van Dijk are among other targets.