Barcelona president admits Chelsea target is now “tempted by other options”

Transfer News: Ousmane Dembele could join Chelsea on a free transfer in the summer after Joan Laporta update

According to Football.London, Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele could be available to join Chelsea on a free transfer in the summer as contract talks with the Spanish club are said to be stalled.

Speaking to Tot Costa as quoted by Fabrizio Romano (h/t Football.London), Barcelona president Joan Laporta has revealed that the club has made a contract offer to Ousmane Dembele but the Frenchman seems to be tempted by other offers.

Chelsea were heavily linked to the talented 25-year-old back in January when it seemed as though the winger would leave Barcelona but a move never materialised. Dembele has since then gone on to establish himself as one of the key men in Xavi’s team, with 13 assists in just league 20 games.

Barcelona have presented the French world cup winner with a new contract but the player is yet to sign it. Speaking about the situation, Laporta said that the club is waiting for the response from Dembele’s entourage but he did not sound too optimistic.

“Ousmane Dembélé? We made our new deal proposal and we’re waiting for his answer, next week. He wanted to stay here at Barça but he’s now tempted by other options he considers better.”

A reunion at the Bridge?

If Dembele indeed joins Chelsea in the future, he will be reuniting with boss Thomas Tuchel. The German managed to get the best out of the French talent during their time at Dortmund and a reunion could work out best for both parties.

When in song and fit, Dembele has all the skills required to become one of the best in the world and as he has shown many times this season, his playmaking skills are pretty good. He has the ability to score goals and create them as well for his team, making him a very useful player in the final third of the pitch.

Signing a player of such pedigree, especially on a free is a no-brainer and Chelsea would be wise to tempt the Frenchman with a switch to West London. Even his injury troubles seem to be an issue of the past with the winger seemingly managing to stay fit for the entirety of the second half of this season.

PSG have also been credited with an interest in the Frenchman and there is no doubt that if Dembele actually becomes available, more clubs can enter the race for the recently turned 25-year-old. He is still young and can still improve, after all.

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Dembele could still choose to stay at Barcelona but if he were to leave, the Blues must pull the trigger without any hesitation. A player who is good with both feet, it is no surprise that the ex-Dortmund star is an asset to deploy in attack either in the starting XI or off the bench.

He may not, however, settle for the latter given his current status at Barcelona.