Barca to abandon Hasselbaink interest

Barcelona president Joan Gaspart today insisted that the Spanish club are set to abandon their bid to sign Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.

Gaspart admitted there had been an interest in Hasselbaink, who effectively put himself in the shop window last week by admitting he would seriously consider a move to Barcelona.

However, he claimed that the chances of the Spanish club signing the Chelsea striker before the transfer window closes on Saturday were now “remote”.

It would appear that while Barcelona were prepared to consider a possible £5m (€7.8m) move plus Michael Reiziger, they would not raise their price significantly higher.

Chelsea, who insist that no formal bid has been received in any case, have consistently stated their determination to keep hold of their £15m (€23.4m) record signing despite their much-debated financial situation.

Gaspart told Radio Barcelona: “I don’t think we will sign Hasselbaink, I cannot deny that there have been contacts, but at this time the possibility of Hasselbaink playing for Barcelona is remote.”

Reports in Spain had earlier indicated that Hasselbaink, 30, was the top priority to partner Dutch compatriot Patrick Kluivert following the return of former Holland coach Louis van Gaal to the Nou Camp.

Hasselbaink gave these reports further credence when he admitted on Sky Sports last Friday night that he would at least consider any bid by Barcelona, even if he strongly denied trying to engineer a move.

“I was asked by a Spanish newspaper if I would be interested and I said that if a club like that comes to you, then you are going to be flattered and you’ll listen to the offer,” said the Chelsea striker.

“I love playing for Chelsea but I’m a professional and I want to play at the highest level. If a club like Barcelona comes in, you have to think about it.”

Despite further speculation linking Deportivo La Coruna with a possible £10m (€15.6m) bid, Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri today stressed Hasselbaink would not be leaving Stamford Bridge.

In an interview on Spanish radio Cadena Ser, the former Atletico Madrid coach declared: “Jimmy is staying at Chelsea. There are many rumours but he is staying.

“The truth is that I’m interested in Hasselbaink and I don’t know anything about Reiziger. Hasselbaink is staying.”

Chelsea chief executive Trevor Birch also confirmed that no official bid had been received from Barcelona. “No, they haven’t made a bid, it’s as simple as that,” he told Chelsea TV.

“There are only a few days to go until the transfer window shuts and all the rumours stop so roll on that time. All this erroneous speculation does not help.”

Birch insisted there is “no truth” in reports indicating Chelsea must repay a £5m (€7.8m) chunk of the combined £14m (€21.9m) transfer fees for Emmanuel Petit and Boudewijn Zenden to Barcelona by August 31.

Reports have also linked Tottenham with a possible move for Eidur Gudjohnsen but the striker insisted earlier this week that he is content to remain at Stamford Bridge.