Ousmane Dembele is about to become a free agent after a long-running contract stand-off, with his deal now expiring this summer. Chelsea has some interest as Tuchel is keen to work with his former Borussia Dortmund player again.
According to Spanish media, Chelsea are set to offer out-of-contract Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele a four-year deal and a signing on fee to join them in the summer.
However, it is said that the deal will still be short of what the France international expects.
Dembele joined Barcelona from Borussia Dortmund back in 2017, and in 5 years at the Camp Nou, he has had a very mixed time for the Catalan club. Injuries and inconsistency plagued the Frenchman in his first three years at the Spanish club, but he has bounced back spectacularly this season.
This season, the 25-year-old winger has been a player reborn under Xavi Hernandez for the Garnet and Blue. Dembele has played 32 games for the Catalan club this season, scoring two goals and providing 13 assists across all competitions.
He was linked with a move to the Blues in the January transfer window, but he ended up staying at Barcelona for the remaining months of the campaign.
The reigning World Champions are growing confidence in being able to sign the winger in the transfer window.
It is believed that contact between the two has already been made as Thomas Tuchel’s side prepare for another busy campaign in west London.
Dembele is said to have delayed a decision on his future until the Chelsea takeover had been completed, with a consortium led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital now being appointed as the club’s new owners.
As he approaches his departure from Barcelona, the Catalan side’s president Joan Laporta revealed that Dembele is tempted by offers from other top sides around Europe.
He has said: “Ousmane Dembele? We made our new deal proposal, and we’re waiting for his answer next week.
“He wanted to stay here at Barca but he’s now tempted by other options he considers better.”
Dembele has made 150 appearances across all competitions for Barcelona since his arrival in 2017, scoring 32 goals and providing 34 assists for the La Liga giants.
The French international had already played under Tuchel when the German boss was in charge at Dortmund until 2017, the same year Dembele left the Bundesliga outfit.
Paris Saint-Germain were close to signing Dembele in the January window before he ended up staying put, and the Ligue 1 champions were expected to revive their interest.
