Barcelona identify Chelsea star Willian as alternative to Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho

Chelsea star Willian has reportedly emerged as a transfer target for Barcelona and will make an approach for the Brazil international if they fail to sign Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool.

The former Inter Milan man was wanted by the Catalan club earlier in the summer transfer window. The Merseyside club rejected multiple approaches from the La Liga giants. Coutinho even handed in a transfer request to force a move away from Anfield.

However, Liverpool decided against allowing the 25-year-old to leave the club, despite firm interest from Barcelona. According to Goal.com, Ernesto Valverde's side will make a fresh approach for Coutinho in the January transfer window.

The Reds star still remains a primary target for the Camp Nou outfit. Barcelona CEO Oscar Grau has already confirmed the club is "financial ready" to sign Coutinho after the end of this calendar year.

Barcelona's failure to land Coutinho in January will force them to shift their attention towards Willian. The Blues attacker is identified as the best backup option to his compatriot, if the Spanish league leaders are left disappointed in their approach for Liverpool playmaker.

Agent Giuliano Bertolucci helped Barcelona sign Paulinho from Guangzhou Evergrande in the summer transfer window. He also manages Coutinho and Willian and the feeling at Camp Nou is that Bertolucci will be able to help Valverde's side land one of the targets in January.

Willian has struggled for regular playing time under Antonio Conte this season. He has 11 starts to his name this season, out of which seven were in the Premier League. The former Juventus manager has advised the South American to "accept" the situation and urged him to be happy.

"I repeat: my players must be happy to stay in Chelsea and to play for Chelsea and to play for our fans. They must be happy. If they start the game, or if they stay on the bench and come on... I think I have clever players to understand the situation and accept the situation," Conte explained.

"Hazard, at the start of the season, accepted the situation to stay on the bench before finding the right form. It's the same for Pedro, for Willy, for other players. When you are in a great team, you have to accept this and, at the same time, you must be happy to stay in a great team."

According to The Sun, Willian is also wanted by his former manager Jose Mourinho at Manchester United in January. The 29-year-old still shares a close relationship with the Portuguese tactician, under whom he played when the latter was in charge at Chelsea.

Willian has earlier rejected an approach from the 20-time English champions in order to continue at Stamford Bridge. However, lack of playing time could force him to consider his future, as he looks for a spot in Brazil squad for the next summer's World Cup in Russia. His contract with his current employers runs down in 2020 and Chelsea will not sanction his sale before finding a replacement.