Chelsea join Cocu chase

The versatile 32-year-old will be out of contract at Camp Nou this summer, and Barca appear reluctant to offer him a new deal.

Despite coach Raddy Antic being keen to retain the player, a new contract has not been forthcoming as Barcelona look set to wait until the upcoming presidency elections before resolving the future of several of their first-team squad.

The former PSV Eindhoven star has spent six seasons with the Catalan outfit but now appears set to quit Spain.

Former club PSV have stated their desire to bring the veteran back to the Philips Stadion, but Chelsea are now rumoured to have joined the race for his signature.

Blues boss Claudio Ranieri is looking to bolster his squad ahead of next season's Champions League campaign, and Cocu - available for no fee - could fit the bill.