The Daily Mail says Abramovich is now ready to authorise a deal worth a staggering £100 million for a player who would add flair to an already formidable Chelsea team.

Half that money would go to Ronaldinho in wages over the next five years and the other half would go directly to Barcelona as a British record £50m transfer fee for the 27-year-old double World Player of the Year.

Ronaldinho has an £85m buy-out clause in his contract but the full amount applies only to Spanish clubs and is essentially designed to prevent him from ever following Luis Figo to Real Madrid.