Chelsea are being linked with a move for Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong.
The Dutch international has been an integral part of the team that is aiming for a league and cup double in Spain, but financial constraints mean that they may be forced to sell him at the end of the season.
La Liga chiefs have told the Catalan club that they must raise at least £177 million in layer sales before they will be allowed to buy anybody in the summer transfer windows.
De Jong, the former Ajax midfielder, was rumoured to be a target for Manchester United among other Premier League clubs in the past. However, he has previously refused to move unless what hie owed in deferred wages is paid to him.
Despite the spending in the past two windows, Chelsea are still looking for further defensive reinforcements, although there may first need to be a cull of the existing first-team squad to make make way for new additions.
