Chelsea close to making La Liga star first signing of Boehly era

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel could soon be reunited with one of his former players as the Blues are closing in on the signing of Barcelona star Ousmane Dembele. 

As per Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo, Chelsea are currently in pole position to land the Frenchman, whose contract is set to expire next month.

The 25-year-old was rumoured to be leaving the La Liga side in January having snubbed contract extension offers, but he instead opted to stay put in Catalunya and finished the season strongly, registering ten assists in his last 15 games to finish the season with a league-high tally of 13.

The France international could soon become the first signing of the Todd Boehly era at Stamford Bridge, with the Spanish outlet suggesting that a deal is very close to being agreed.

Dembele cost Barcelona more than £125 million when he left Borussia Dortmund in 2017, but his time in Spain has been hampered by injury, and he has made just 150 appearances in five seasons for Barcelona.

Dembele is believed to be on the verge of joining Chelsea

Chelsea have been long term admirers of the ex-Rennes man, though, and Tuchel is reportedly keen to reunite with a player that he once described as ‘one of the craziest talents’ he had ever seen.

The duo worked together for a year in Germany, and won the German Cup in 2017.

Tuchel will be on the lookout for forwards this summer, with his current crop of attackers having failed to impress this season.

Christian Pulisic, Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner have all struggled for game time this term, and at least one of the trio is expected to leave the club this summer in order to make room for reinforcements.