Stefan Borson: Chelsea have been in talks to agree off-field deal for two years

Chelsea have likely been in talks with Qatar Airways and other potential front-of-shirt sponsors for the last two years.

That is the view of finance expert Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insider the west London club’s commercial team would have kept the relationship open with sponsors even while they had other agreements in place.

Chelsea have started the new season without a primary shirt sponsor for the second consecutive campaign after their deal with Infinite Athlete expired over the summer.

Sky Sports journalist Kaveh Solhekol reported on 24 September the London giants are in talks with Qatar Airways and two other airlines about becoming their new front-of-shirt sponsor.

But Football Insider revealed on 26 September Stamford Bridge chiefs have been forced to lower their asking price from £50million to £40million.

Qatar Airways want ‘very good price’ to agree Chelsea deal

Borson suggested Qatar Airways would want a “very good price” if they were to agree a deal mid-season.

He told Football Insider: “I’m sure Chelsea are talking to all of these people, but they have likely been talking to them for the best part of two years, maybe even longer.

“The way these sorts of things work is you would continue to have conversations in the background even after signing Infinite Athlete, for example.

“They would have continued the relationship if they had one with the airlines that we are talking about.

“The commercial and marketing people would have continued to keep that relationship warm for future seasons.

“I think there is a possibility that Qatar Airways might do a deal.

“But if they were to do a deal at this stage given the imperfections of doing a deal mid-season, they would obviously want a very good price to do it, such that it made financial and economic sense.”

In other news, Chelsea hit by Tottenham blow in stadium twist – Expert.

For more Chelsea news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.

The post Stefan Borson: Chelsea have been in talks to agree off-field deal for two years appeared first on Football Insider.