Chelsea are seemingly facing more of a fight than anticipated to sign Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele on a free transfer this summer as the player's agent met with club directors to discuss a new contract at the Camp Nou.
Dembele was strongly linked with an exit during the January transfer window but although a move did not materialise before the deadline, the window closed with a sense that the 24-year-old would be on his way once his contract expired. Dembele has struggled for form in Catalonia since moving from Borussia Dortmund and has often been given stick by supporters.
Thomas Tuchel is reportedly eager to reunite with the player he managed at the Signal Iduna Park, although Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal have also been linked with a move. The message from Barcelona, however, has long been that nothing has been decided as of yet.
"The situation regarding Dembele's renewal is not easy," Cruyff said, via Sport, earlier this season. "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."
Tuchel's relationship with Dembele is an incredibly strong one. The player has previously named the German as his favourite manager from his career so far, while Tuchel too has piled praise on Dembele since his departure for Barcelona.
"If he's focused enough, he can reach any level," said Tuchel per Bleacher Report in 2020. "When I talked to him for the very first time, he told me that he wanted to play for Barcelona. That's where he is now.
"It means he can reach any level, but he needs to remain focused and improve each day. Ousmane is an incredible player, he's really talented. I could watch his amazing skills in every training session.
"He's also a great human being. He's a little crazy. He's a really nice boy but a little crazy. He loves to laugh but can also have very serious conversations. It's never boring with him."
But it now appears that Chelsea's hopes of landing Dembele on a free transfer this summer could come down to how a recent meeting with Barcelona transpires. As reported by Helena Condis, via Fabrizio Romano, club director Mateu Alemany with the player's agent Mousa Sissoko as they look to extend his contract.
Given the uncertainty hanging over Stamford Bridge at present, it remains to be seen what the World Cup winner will decide to do going forwards.
