Guillem Balague suggests Chelsea won't sign Philippe Coutinho this summer

Reputed Spanish journalist Guillem Balague believes Frank Lampard will reject the chance to sign Philippe Coutinho from Barcelona during the summer transfer window.

The Brazil international has been earmarked as the prime transfer target for the Blues this term and reports have emerged that they could sign him on an initial loan deal with the option to buy for around £70m.

However, Balague feels the Blues may not necessarily make a move for the former Liverpool attacker as the priority remains on signing a high-profile striker ahead of next season.

"The story of Coutinho is quite simple. Bayern Munich are not going to renew the contract that they've got. Does Lampard like Coutinho?," he told in his Youtube channel.

"Of course he does. Does he need Coutinho? He doesn't need Coutinho. So Chelsea are not going to go for Coutinho, they need a striker, that's their priority."

Coutinho is presently on a season-long loan at Bayern Munich from the Blaugrana but he is expected to return to the Camp Nou at the end of the campaign.

Aside from the Blues, Everton and Newcastle United have also been credited with an interest in Coutinho, who has registered nine goals and eight assists for Bayern this term.