French ace Ousmane Dembele edges closer to Chelsea switch amid PSG links
According to Sport via Sport Witness (h/t Football London), Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele is edging closer to joining Chelsea despite strong interest from Paris St-Germain.
The Blues are reportedly in the driving seat for Dembele, who is set to depart Barcelona as a free-agent following a five-year stay in Catalonia. At 25, the French ace will be among the best players available on the free-agent market.
Ligue 1 champions PSG are interested in bringing back the Frenchman to his native, but Dembele is understood to be keen on a reunion with former boss Thomas Tuchel, who he worked with during their time together at Borussia Dortmund.
Tuchel, too, is a crucial contributor to Chelsea’s interest in Dembele, as the German eyes a reunion with his former talent who he helped nurture and explode into the scene.
Joining from Stade Rennes in the summer of 2016, Dembele spent only one season at Dortmund. He made 50 appearances for Die Schwarzgelben, scoring 10 goals and racking up an incredible 22 assists.
He was touted as one of world football’s brightest young stars and following the world-record transfer of Neymar to PSG, Barcelona signed Dembele in a deal amounting to £135.5 million – the second-most expensive transfer in football at the time, only eclipsed by the Neymar deal.
Since then, Dembele has had a mixed spell in Blaugrana colours. Although unplayable when he is on swansong, the explosive winger has suffered long spells on the sideline with injuries on numerous occasions.
In recent months, it became more evident that Barcelona and Dembele remain some way apart in their negotiations for a new contract and now it appears that the ship has sailed and Barcelona are resigned to losing their record-acquisition on a free.
Can Dembele rediscover his best at Chelsea?
Chelsea have a lot to figure out when it comes to their attacking struggles. The Blues’ record-signing Romelu Lukaku is on the verge of an unceremonious exit, following a forgettable return to the club which is set to last only one season.
The club are also listening to offers for Hakim Ziyech, Christian Pulisic, and Timo Werner, which probably indicates that a total reshuffle is in order.
Dembele is strong, fast and explosive in nature and played the best football of his career under Thomas Tuchel, who he greatly admires.
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- Report: Chelsea set to submit €40m bid for top South American defender
- Injury News: Chelsea superstar withdraws from international duty due to fitness issue
A reunion of the pair may inspire Dembele to rediscover his best self which if he does, will solve a big portion of Chelsea’s attacking dilemma.