The water surrounding Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's reported transfer to Barcelona became murkier this morning when coach Claudio Ranieri claimed that he expected his star striker to still be playing at Stamford Bridge when the transfer window closes on Saturday.
Hasselbaink has fuelled speculation in the past week by refusing to rule out a move to Catalonia, where he would join up with his former national team coach Louis van Gaal. Barcelona have also been keen to express their interest in the 30-year-old Dutchman.
Today, in characteristically puzzling fashion, Ranieri claimed no such deal would be taking place. "He is staying at Chelsea, there are many rumours but he is staying," he said. "The truth is that I am interested in Hasselbaink and I don't know anything about [Michael] Reiziger [reported to be leaving Barca for Chelsea as part of a deal]. Hasselbaink is staying."
The sudden turnaround in events, with many pundits predicting a deal would be done today, also seems to have disappointed Barca president Joan Gaspart. "I can't deny that we have spoken about Hasselbaink but the chances of him coming to Barcelona look remote," he said on Radio Barcelona last night.
"For the last two months we have not concealed the fact that we would like to make one more signing - a centre forward," he said. "It's not an obsession, but Van Gaal has told us that it would be good to incorporate an attacking player as long as the market allows us to do so."
With Hasselbaink now seemingly off the menu, Barca look likely to quickly turn their attentions to Spanish international forwards Albert Luque of Mallorca and Deportivo's Diego Tristan. Chelsea, meanwhile, are likely to face more speculation that another prized asset will have to be sold to help redress a reported £97m debt - with Jimmy's strike partner Eidur Gudjohnsen the most suitable candidate.
