Chelsea have taken a step closer to securing the signing of Ousmane Dembele this summer. The 25-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge this season, as Thomas Tuchel and Todd Boehly plot a rebuild.
The American-led consortium, which completed a £4.25billion deal to buy the west London club last week, are expected to 'push for A-list signings' to mark a new era at Stamford Bridge, according to the MailOnline. With the new ownership group eager to bolster the Blues' armoury, The Telegraph report that after player sales are taken into account, Thomas Tuchel is set to be granted a £200million war chest to strengthen his side.
A percentage of which could be set aside for the arrival of Dembele, who is yet to agree new terms with Barcelona and, therefore, leave as a free agent in the coming weeks. CBS correspondent Ben Jacobs has reported that Chelsea have made contact with the France international over a potential move.
READ MORE: Todd Boehly Chelsea takeover agreement gives Thomas Tuchel La Liga transfer mission green light
However, Tuchel's side reportedly face stern competition from Liverpool. CBS Sport have claimed that Dembele once courted Paris Saint-Germain's attention, but the appointment of new transfer chief Luis Campos at Les Parc des Princes has seen the French giants' interest diminish.
It's believed that the Barcelona forward decided to delay the decision regarding his future until the Chelsea takeover was completed, the Press Association claim - it must be said that his decision to do so drops a huge hint. Tuchel is known to be a big admirer of Dembele, with the pair having briefly worked together at Borussia Dortmund.
The duo enjoyed their time alongside one another in the Bundesliga, with Tuchel's man-management steering the winger towards a £135.5million move to Camp Nou. Though, regardless of whether the Chelsea boss secures Dembele's services, Tuchel is keen to undergo a rebuild at Chelsea this summer.
Speaking to football.london, the Blues boss said: "We are rebuilding, not improving the squad. We are rebuilding. This is always challenging, but we are up for the challenge.
"I don't know where we are from day one. What I can promise is that I will be here – if I can promise that – I will be here with full energy and positive energy no matter what. We will still work for Chelsea, and I refuse to think of negative scenarios. We will be competitive, on which level we will see."
football.london understand that Chelsea are interested in Dembele and could move for him this summer, though the club will need to make way for his arrival with the sale of an attacke necessary.
