Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly has confirmed the club have struck an agreement with Barcelona over transfer business, but it remains unclear over who is involved.
Boehly and fellow co-owner Behdad Eghbali of Clearlake Capital flew to Spain on Thursday evening and landed at Barcelona Airport, welcomed by the local media.
His response was warm when exiting the terminal, saying: “Good to see you guys!”
They made the short flight to meet with Barcelona officials to discuss several pieces of transfer business.
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Chelsea duo Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso were talked about, as was Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong who the Blues have been linked with amid strong interest from Manchester United.
Boehly, who is Chelsea’s current interim sporting director and taking the lead on the transfer business, and Eghbali pulled up to a local restaurant to meet with Barca president Joan Laporta, Mateu Alemany and Jordi Cruyff who were all spotted.
The Chelsea co-owners were quizzed on their arrival and suggested interest in De Jong, but Boehly was adamant that they were only “here for a meal”.
It was a meeting that lasted around two hours but talks progressed with Boehly holding a thick pile of paperwork.
As the Blues chiefs left to head back to depart Spain, Boehly, as reported by the media in Spain, was asked if an agreement had been reached with Barcelona at all.
His answer was short but confirmatory - “Yes,” Boehly admitted.
Boehly enjoyed the food, adding: “Great meal, great meal. Wonderful food.”
Who the agreement is with remains unclear, with AS in Spain claiming the agreement was for Azpilicueta, which would see him make the switch before Alonso.
The wing-back’s departure could see De Jong heading the other way to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea are also locked in battle with Barcelona over Leeds United’s Raphinha. They have agreed a fee, but the 25-year-old is holding out to see if the Spanish side match the offer.
They are yet to do so which could see a decision decided by the weekend as Leeds grow frustrated and prepared to give the Blues the green light, subbing Barcelona in the process, to advance their pursuit.
An agreement of £55 million is on the table between the two clubs and personal terms aren’t an issue, which would leave Chelsea in a position to wrap up a deal quickly if Barcelona are snubbed.
He could then add to Raheem Sterling’s addition, who is expected to sign for the Blues by the end of the week, for Thomas Tuchel’s 2022/23 squad.
Topics: Todd Boehly, Barcelona, Chelsea, Marcos Alonso, Cesar Azpilicueta, Frenkie De Jong
Matthew Debono