Barcelona make stunning £60m bid for Manchester United target

Barcelona have returned to Chelsea with an improved £60m offer for Willian, claims The Daily Mail.

The La Liga champions have already failed with a £50m bid for Willian but are determined to land their top transfer target.

Barcelona were forced to re-think their recruitment plan after Antoine Griezmann snubbed their advances to sign a new deal with Atletico Madrid at the start of the 2018 World Cup.

Ernesto Valverde’s side registered surprise interest in Willian shortly after and are now determined to land their man after making a bid that would make the 29-year-old one of the most expensive players in the club’s history.

Willian has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United in the last two seasons but Chelsea’s preference would be to sell the Brazilian abroad.

Chelsea are open to the idea of selling Willian to use the funds raised from his departure to bankroll their own transfer activity.

United are reportedly in advanced talks with Real Madrid to sign Gareth Bale, which would further strengthen the idea that Willian will join Barcelona if he leaves Chelsea.

Willian endured a difficult time at Chelsea under Antonio Conte and appears set to leave the club even though the Italian is also on his way out of Stamford Bridge.

The Brazilian made exactly 35 starts and 35 substitute appearances across two Premier League campaigns under Conte, playing a direct hand in 23 goals in that period (14 goals, nine assists).