Chelsea have been handed a blow in their potential pursuit of Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele. Journalist Fabrizio Romano reports that positive talks have been held between the Frenchman and the Catalan club over a new deal, with his current one expiring at the end of the season.
The Blues were linked with a move for the forward in January, with a stalemate between him and his club creating the potential for an exit amid reports that he was told to leave while he was still under contract. Despite reports of a move for Dembele, Thomas Tuchel insisted there was no approach and they had a “calm” January transfer window. “I did not have contact with Ousmane. There was no contact in winter," he said.
“I'm very satisfied because it was a calm window, and to be calm is always the best thing.” The move would have seen the 24-year-old reunite with the German coach, having briefly played under him at Borussia Dortmund.
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Dembele spent just one season at the Bundesliga club, making the £126million move to Barcelona in 2017. Despite the transfer fee, the France international hasn’t quite lived up to expectations, suffering from injuries for a lot of his time in Spain.
Since the introduction of new boss Xavi Hernandez, the winger has been integrated back into the side and has impressed. This has led to positive contract talks, according to journalist Romano.
He claims that the forward has better offers from other clubs, but is yet to make a decision on where his future lies. A new meeting is set to take place between representatives, dealing a potential blow if the Blues do wish to make a move for him.
