Chelsea want to get rid of De Jong

According to Marca, Boli arrived in Spain at 7/7 yesterday and will meet with representatives of Barcelona's leadership to negotiate the case of two defenders, Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso. Those are two goals Barca have long pursued, with Chelsea hoping to reach an agreement before the tour kicks off on July 9.

However, Spanish media reported that the meeting between the two leaders also discussed the future of another player, De Jong. The Dutch midfielder is United's first transfer target as he is expected to reunite with his old teacher Eric Ten Hagg. However, Barcelona and Manchester United have not yet reached an agreement on the transfer fee.

With Azpilicueta and Alonso, Chelsea will have an advantage if they want to compete for De Jong's signature. Barca president Joan Laporta had said he did not want to sell, but the claim is likely to be for pricing, as Barca would have to pay the midfielder $90 million over the next four years if De Jong stayed. It is a financial burden at a time when the Nou Camp side still need to tighten their belts and try to bring back free contracts.

Boli is not sure whether he can convince Barcelona and De Jong. But the billionaire is connected to many powerful figures in the transfer world. He impressed when he played a key role in the loan deal for Inter Milan's Romelu Lukaku.

Barcelona have reached personal agreements with Azpilicueta and Alonso since the summer. But both deals have been delayed as Chelsea reshuffle their leadership following their split from billionaire Roman Abramovich. As well as being the boss, Boehly took on the sporting director role after terminating his contract with the former leader.