Ajax have asked for compensation of about £1 million, even though Ten Cate's contract expires next summer. He will be paid about £40,000 a week, doubling his wage, by Chelsea.
Ten Cate's brief will be to help Grant to evolve Chelsea into a more flamboyant side than they were under Jose Mourinho. A former winger, the 52-year-old has a reputation for being emotional and obdurate and his record as a coach in the Netherlands, Germany and Hungary is mixed.
However, as assistant to Frank Rijkaard for three years at the Nou Camp, he is credited with helping to bring the best out of Ronaldinho. After Barcelona won the Champions League in 2006, Ten Cate took charge at Ajax.
