Transfer News: Barcelona set to propose two-year contract offer to Chelsea target Ousmane Dembele
According to Spanish publication Sport (h/t Football.London), Barcelona are set to propose a two-year contract offer to Ousmane Dembele, who is a transfer target for Chelsea. He has had a resurgence under Xavi Hernandez and has been on the rise since returning from his last injury.
The 24-year-old has less than six months left on his current deal at Camp Nou and is in line to depart for free next summer. Moreover, he could also reach a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs at this moment. The Blues are looking to take advantage of the situation to get their hands on the talented attacker.
Thomas Tuchel’s side is in line to be dealt a blow as Barca are set to put a new two-year contract on the table. They had retracted their previous offer, having failed to reach an agreement with the Frenchman. Now, they are prepared to push again in an attempt to tie him down to a new deal.
Chelsea should pressure
Our attacking options have constantly let us down as they have struggled to maintain consistency. Hakim Ziyech is the only one who has been at the required level in recent times, and even he was struggling for form before the turn of this year. Kai Havertz’s eye for goal in big games continues to benefit us but apart from that, he could still improve.
The likes of Timo Werner and Christian Pulisic have failed to be a threatening presence in the wide areas for us. Mason Mount, who has been utilised in similar positions, is also on the same boat, with his poor display in the Carabao Cup final being the most notable in recent times.
As such, we could definitely use some strengthening on the wings, and Dembele could be a useful option in that regard. His ability to play on both sides of the pitch without a drop in performance would be valuable for us under the current circumstances. Moreover, we cannot forget how it was under Thomas Tuchel that he earned a name for himself in Germany.
Prising the La Liga winger on a free transfer would be a major capture for us, especially with his recent run of form. He seems to have put behind his injury plight and has been dropping consistent displays with noticeable improvements.
Moreover, with Reece James and Ben Chilwell being out due to injury earlier this season, the amount of threat we pose down the wings hasn’t looked all that frightening. In such an event, Dembele is an out-and-out winger who would strike fear in the heart of defenders with his dribbling skills and pace off the blocks.
More Chelsea News
- Team News: Thomas Tuchel gives concerning injury updates for Chelsea ahead of the FA Cup clash vs Luton Town
- Fabrizio Romano: Barcelona confident of signing Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta in the summer transfer window
- Transfer News: Manchester United enter race for Chelsea target Tino Livramento
As such, we must be wary of the Catalans’ approach to renew the former Stade Rennes man’s current contract. It would have been a surprise to see Barca let Dembele walk away for free this summer, especially after shelling out an eye-watering amount of money to sign him from Borussia Dortmund.
But regardless, the club must keep an eye on these proceedings and be ready to pounce at the first opening they see, if their interest in Dembele is real and solid, to begin with. Let us see how this transpires as we edge closer to the summer transfer window with each passing week.