Chelsea now hold an interest in signing Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembele this summer.
That is according to a report from Football Transfers.
They claim that Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino really likes Ousmane Dembele and would like his side to make a move in this transfer window.
It is understood that the Blues could try tempt the 26-year-old Barcelona winger to London with a longer and more lucrative deal.
The report adds that the French speedster currently has a €50million (£43million) release clause in his Barcelona deal, but the Spanish giants are looking to renew his contract and increase that price.
As it stands, there’s no indication Dembele would come to the Premier League and Barca don’t feel any pressure to sell him.
Dembele, who can be a spectacular wide player when he’s fit and firing, would be a really exciting addition to the Chelsea ranks.
The France international’s bad luck with injuries in his career would be our main concern about him, though.
He’s a very talented winger with great dribbling, attacking threat and pace. His equal ability off both feet is a big skill in itself, too.
Described as “special” by Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez last year (EuroSport), Dembele can be frightening for opposition full-backs.
Sky Germany reported last summer that then-Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel desperately wanted Barcelona’s Dembele at Stamford Bridge in his Blues squad.
He was a priority target for Chelsea when Tuchel was in the manager’s dugout, so it’s interesting to hear Pochettino has now identified him as a potential fit in West London.
There seems to be an agreement within the fanbase that the club needs to prioritise signing a new midfielder and new striker in the next few weeks, but Dembele would be an excellent bonus on top of that.
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