Barcelona have issued a one-word Ousmane Dembele message that will hurt Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel as the sanctions imposed on owner Roman Abramovich prevent any transfer dealings taking place currently in west London.
Dembele, 24, was heavily linked with a switch to England in the January transfer window but he decided to stay put due to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's advice amid contractual concerns, despite club president Juan Laporta and head coach Xavi suggesting he would leave the Camp Nou.
However, it seems the new arrivals in the Spanish city have somewhat rejuvenated a player that Tuchel said he and the club had not contacted on deadline day despite constant rumours.
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"I am satisfied because it was a calm 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 clarified at the start of February. "We tried and had ideas. But in the end we stick to what we have and are happy."
football.london understands that before the sanctions came into force last week, the winger was one of Tuchel's targets if his Barcelona contract was to run completely down.
Judging by Jordi Cruyff's latest words on the contractual stand off, that situation may well come to fruition and the Blues will certainly hope that the a new government licence will be issued in time for them to make their move for the 24-year-old.
"The situation regarding Dembele's renewal is not easy," Cruyff said, via Sport, after the Frenchman recorded two assists in Barca's win over Osasuna on Sunday. "I think the most important thing is that he continues to help the team and the rest will be seen.
"He has played a good game, like many players who end their contract with the future already done and others who are looking for a better contract. That he continues helping the team to achieve the maximum objectives and the rest we cannot control."
Ahead of these telling times in the Dembele saga that will be coming up over the next few months, his recent spell of form has made him an attractive prospect to interested buyers, that could involve strong Paris Saint-Germain.
He has helped in contributing six goal involvements in his last four La Liga matches- creativity and form that could come in hand to Chelsea's indifferent attack.
Therefore, it's unsurprising to see Barca tweet just one word in response to the winger's performance on Sunday night. After helping with his two assists in the 4-0 thumping off Osasuna, Barca's English account tweeted out a bug emoji with the caption 'buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.'
Could Dembele be buzzing in the Blues jersey come the summer? Tuchel will certainly be hoping this will be the case, despite the current transfer worries that have come about from the UK Government sanctions on Abramovich.
