Just after the January transfer window slammed shut, Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel insisted the club did not hold talks with Ousmane Dembele over a mid-season move.
football.london reported that the Blues were monitoring the Barcelona winger's situation in January with Tuchel a big fan of the Frenchman, who worked with the Chelsea manager during their days at Borussia Dortmund. However, the German coach bluntly confirmed there was no contact with Dembele.
He said: "I did not have contact with Ousmane. There was no contact in the winter."
READ MORE: Barcelona one-word Ousmane Dembele message as Roman Abramovich sanctions affect Chelsea transfer
Dembele is now in the final few months of his contract with Barcelona and as it stands, he could leave on a free transfer at the end of the season. As mentioned above, his situation was being monitored by Chelsea, but whether that will change with new ownership remains to be seen.
Something that could play into Chelsea's hands, though, if there is a genuine interest, is Neymar returning to the Nou Camp. According to French news outlet Foot Mercato, the Brazil international, who is now at Paris Saint-Germain, has been offered back to his former club.
The 30-year-old signed for PSG in the summer of 2017 for almost £200million, but was one of the numerous players jeered by his own supporters following their Champions League exit to Real Madrid earlier in the month. That has cast doubt over Neymar's future at the club.
If he should re-sign for Barca, then theoretically, this could open the door for Dembele to leave the club, with contract talks over the last few months not leading to an agreement. Barcelona advisor Jordi Cruyff recently came out and said that talks over a new deal are complicated.
Cruyff told Sport: "The situation in respect to the renovation of Dembele is not easy. I believe that what is most important is that he continues helping the team and the rest will come.
"He has had a good game [in Barcelona's 4-1 win against Osasuna at the weekend], like many players that are out of contract and search for a better contract. He continues helping the team to achieve the best objectives and aside from that, we cannot control."
