Chelsea could yet sign Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele before the transfer window closes next week, according to The Athletic‘s Simon Johnson.
The website’s Blues correspondent says that sources in Spain have told him that a move for the France international is still “possible this month.”
Dembele, who was signed by Barca for £135.5m in 2017, is running down his contract but it has been made clear to him that he should find a new club now or he will be frozen out for the rest of the season.
Arsenal, Manchester United, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain have also been linked with the player, but there is mutual admiration between Dembele and Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel, and that has made the Blues favourites for the 24-year-old’s signature.
Whether that actually leads to an approach before the transfer deadline, we shall have to wait and see. There has been speculation about a loan deal, where Chelsea cover Dembele’s wages until his current deal expires, but Barcelona are likelier to be more open to a permanent transfer.