Barcelona manager Xavi has labelled Ousmane Dembele's professionalism and commitment as 'impeccable' as the Chelsea target has been reintegrated back into the squad.
Dembele, 24, was heavily linked on deadline day to making a shock move to west London but reports claiming any deal was close last month were far off the mark, football.london understands.
football.london also understands that the Blues are interested and could move for him in the summer when he’ll be on a free, but will need to shift out an attacker (or two) already on their books.
Tuchel himself, speaking ahead of the Plymouth Argyle FA Cup tie on Friday afternoon, confirmed what we understood when posed the question about the French winger.
"I am satisfied because it was a clam window and to be calm was the best thing. We were open for things. I did not have contact with Ousmane [Dembele]. There was no contact in winter between us," Tuchel said in his pre-match press conference.
"We tried and had ideas. But in the end we stick to what we have and are happy. Reece will come back at some point, unfortunately not Ben Chilwell, but Reece will comeback and compete for a place in the squad.
"Azpi at the moment is in fantastic form and a fantastic place. That is why it's fine. We try to find solutions in our squad."
The attacking dilemma in west London will be looked at again in the summer amid Tuchel's £310million headache but what's next for Dembele amid reports that Barca were looking to terminate his contract early?
Well, despite Xavi's and Joan Laporta's words, it seems as though the player's conduct in the last few days has forced a re-think in Catalunya.
This is because, as per SPORT correspondent Samuel Marsden, Barcelona's number 7 has been reintroduced back into the first team fold for the Atletico Madrid clash on Sunday.
He tweeted: "Dembele in Barça squad to face Atletico tomorrow."
Xavi himself then confirmed this news with what he had to say in his pre-match press conference to the Spanish media about the situation at hand.
He said, as translated to English from Spanish: “We can't shoot ourselves in the foot.
"We must be selfish and think that it can help the team. He has always proven to be a great professional and his commitment is impeccable.
"It is a joint decision with the Club, we are a family”.
Dani Alves, despite bashing the 'ego' of the winger, agrees with Xavi that Dembele's talent shouldn't be wasted on the bench amid this fresh update.
He said via the Mirror: "As long as Ousmane is still at Barcelona, you have to make the most of the situation.
"You have to look past your ego."
So the soap opera is over for now but PSG and the Blues will certainly revisit this situation in the summer when Dembele is free to choose his next destination.
