Instead, the Catalan club have signalled their intention to bid for Willian via his agent Kia Joorabchian.
The agent has relayed this information to Chelsea, who now await an offer.
It is claimed Barca will make their move next week and are aware of Willian’s openness to secure a switch.
Willian currently takes up one of three valuable non-EU slots in Chelsea’s squad.
And were the Brazil international to move to Barcelona then the La Liga side may have to reshuffle their squad.
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Willian (left) played for Brazil at the World Cup this summer (Image: GETTY)
Philippe Coutinho and Yerry Mina are the two non-EU players currently on Barca’s books.
However, that could soon be reduced, with Mina attracting interest from Leicester and Everton, while Barca want Coutinho to get a Portuguese passport via his wife.
The changes may be needed, with Barcelona having already signed Brazilian midfielder Arthur from Gremio this summer.
They have sold Paulinho - another Brazilian - back to the Chinese Super League in order to facilitate Arthur’s move.
As for Chelsea, they today announced Sarri’s appointment today before confirming their first signing of the summer - Italian Jorginho from Napoli.