Todd Boehly has been pictured in Barcelona amid Chelsea's ongoing summer transfer saga with the Catalan giants. Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso have both been heavily linked with moves to the Camp Nou, meanwhile, Ousmane Dembele and Frenkie de Jong have both been subject to interest from Stamford Bridge.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the American billionaire met with the Barcelona board to discuss the futures of the Blues defenders, among 'many other topics' too. Azpilicueta and Alonso are both said to have agreed personal terms with Xavi's side ahead of a potential move, with Boehly eager to find an ultimatum.
When asked by journalists for a motive for his attendance at a restaurant - Via Veneto - in Barcelona with masses of paperwork under his arm, Boehly insisted - while smirking - that he was there for a meal. Chelsea's stand-in transfer chief answered: "We're here to have a meal."
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Several higher-ups at Barcelona followed soon after; Mateu Alemany, Jordi Cruyff and Joan Laporta. The 'meal' follows great interest in Chelsea's personnel from the Spanish giants. But, the west Londoners have recently registered interest in De Jong, who has been heavily linked with an exit from Barcelona this summer.
football.london understands that the west Londoners have 'liked' the idea of signing the Netherlands international for a few years now. And, while Thomas Tuchel faces great competition from Erik ten Hag for the midfielder's services, the Blues boss is confident of beating Manchester United to a deal.
According to Spanish outlet Diario Sport, the Chelsea entourage would be able to convince the 25-year-old to snub Old Trafford for Stamford Bridge on two conditions. The report details that Champions League qualification and London lifestyle would be enough for De Jong to decide his future.
De Jong is said to prefer a move to Chelsea over United now that the Blues have informed Barcelona of their interest. However, while Boehly may have significant leverage in completing a deal, United have already encountered several issues.
The Telegraph claim that the Red Devils reached an agreement with the Catalan side for the midfielder that would see them pay an initial £55million, with an additional £17million payable in add-ons. But, a move has stalled due to money owed to De Jong by Barcelona in deferred wages from the pandemic.
The Dutchman, who sees his contract at Camp Nou expire in 2026, reportedly agreed to reduce his salary by £9.4million in 2020/21 and by £4.3million last season meaning that he's owed £13.7million in basic wages. The Telegraph add that De Jong is to be owed another £3.4million in waived bonuses for playing in at least 60 per cent of Barcelona’s matches across the previous two seasons.
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