Chelsea dealt blow as Barcelona are set to restart contract talks with Ousmane Dembele
According to Daily Mail Online, Chelsea have been dealt a blow as Barcelona are set to restart contract talks with Ousmane Dembele ahead of this summer. He has had a resurgence under Xavi Hernandez so far and has finally shown signs of the player that we saw at Stade Rennais and Borussia Dortmund.
Dembele will see his current contract at Camp Nou expire in the summer transfer window. As such, he has been in a position to reach a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs since January. The Blues, alongside Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain, were monitoring him back then, but only the latter made a move that eventually broke down on deadline day.
Thomas Tuchel’s side and PSG have remained interested in the Frenchman, but it seems that they may regret their decision after all. Barca could now engage in contract talks with him as early as this week, and they have already contacted his agent Moussa Sissoko regarding the matter.
Damning update
If the Catalans reach an agreement with the 24-year-old regarding a move, then we would be left to think about the missed opportunity on our hands. If he does extend his contract, we are forced to wonder why an offer was not made to prise him away on a cut-price deal.
Xavi has proven that the La Liga star still has the qualities in his bag to finally achieve his full potential. Surely, Thomas Tuchel could have done the same, considering how he is the one who helped the winger explode at Dortmund all those years ago. Perhaps, it would have been wise if the West London side had tried to sign the attacker last January.
We cannot even retaliate and hold a meeting with Sissoko because of the transfer ban, which adds to the current frustrations. Now our only hope is that common ground would not be reached between the Spanish side and Dembele regarding a renewal. The La Liga club’s interest in Leeds United star Raphinha, coupled with their dire finances, could potentially help us in that regard.
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The former Stade Rennes star has showcased under Xavi why he was regarded as one of the best talents in world football all those years ago. The forward has garnered two goals and nine assists to this name from 20 appearances under his current boss, which is a great return compared to his form before that.
Signing the Blaugrana attacker would be a great prospect for us as he can provide healthy competition to Hakim Ziyech on the right-wing. Moreover, a free transfer would always be accepted, especially when it is someone like Dembele. But with this update, we are left to wonder how the talks will turn out to be in the coming months. Let’s hope that an extension would not be agreed upon so that we would not feel regret for not putting in a bid.