Chelsea are involved in the battle to sign Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele before the transfer window shuts, according to the Daily Mail.
The 24-year-old is expected to be sold for £18m, with the Frenchman looking for a wage of £210,000 a week (£10.92m a year) from any interested club.
Newcastle were thought to be among the contenders for Dembele’s signature but the Mail claims the Magpies aren’t prepared to match his salary demands.
A move to the Premier League is still thought to be the likeliest outcome, with his representatives speaking to two English top-flight teams. If Newcastle are out of the race, it is safe to assume that Chelsea and Manchester United are the clubs involved.
Blues boss Thomas Tuchel has worked with Dembele before at Borussia Dortmund and the Frenchman very much enjoyed working under him so, if a deal can be negotiated, it’s likely that he would favour a move to Stamford Bridge.