Hasselbaink: I wouldn't say no to Barcelona

Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink admits he would jump at the chance to join Barcelona.

The Dutchman could be sold in spite of protests from his club and his agent that no offer is on the table.

But Hasselbaink told the Daily Mirror: “At my age, when a great club like Barcelona knocks on your door you do not say ‘no’.

“You look at the offer, evaluate it and decide on the best course of action.”

A move to the Nou Camp would represent a second spell in Spain for Hasselbaink, who left Leeds three years ago to join Atletico Madrid.

He was criticised at the time for taking the higher wages on offer in Madrid despite Leeds offering to make him the highest-paid player in the club’s history.

However, a move to Barcelona, while lucrative could also boost Hasselbaink’s hopes of receiving recognition at international level as he would join a large Dutch contingent in Catalonia, including coach Louis van Gaal.

Hasselbaink added: “I worked with Barca coach Louis van Gaal on the Dutch national team. He knows me perfectly and knows exactly what I can offer.”

Barca president Joan Gaspart is confident a deal is in the pipeline, adding: “We are in talks with Hasselbaink’s people. We are interested in signing him and we think he will be complementary to Patrick Kluivert.

“He could be the piece we need in our team but it depends on the economic aspects.”

Hasselbaink’s departure would be a major blow to Chelsea, who would have little time to secure a replacement before the transfer window closes on August 31.

But his agent Humphrey Nijman told Sky Sports News yesterday that no move had yet been discussed.

He said: “There has been no contact whatsoever between Barcelona and me and, as far as I know, no contact between Barcelona and Chelsea.

“Jimmy loves Chelsea and loves the fans and London is a great city.

“It is all speculation and Jimmy has no reason to consider a move at this moment.”