Chelsea star could be sold to make way for La Liga forward

Chelsea could make a move for Barcelona forward Ousmane Dembele this summer, but the Blues would have to sell one of their current crop beforehand. 

As per Football London, Thomas Tuchel is keen on the idea of signing Dembele, who he worked with at former club Borussia Dortmund.

The report claims that the Catalan club have made an offer to extend Dembele’s contract, which is due to expire this summer, but they are currently waiting for his response.

The 25-year-old looked almost certain to leave the La Liga side in January and Chelsea were among the clubs linked with paying a reduced fee to end the Frenchman’s nightmare spell in Spain.

The forward, who cost Barcelona £135 million in 2017, opted to stay put against the will of manager Xavi, and his form has since improved, registering ten assists in his final 13 games of the season and also scoring on one occasion.

That run of form has persuaded his current employers to offer him the chance to stay put in Catalunya.

Dembele has been in sensational form since February

According to Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona president Joan Laporta has claimed that the player is undecided in regard to his future.

“Ousmane Dembélé? We made our new deal proposal and we’re waiting for his answer, next week,” he said.

“He wanted to stay here at Barça but he’s now tempted by other options he considers better.”

Chelsea are believed to be one of those options, although the Blues would look to sell at least one of their current front line to create room for the France international.

The report suggests that Timo Werner would be the most likely to depart, with the German having started just 15 Premier League games so far this term.

Chelsea already have the likes of Werner, Hakim Ziyech and Callum Hudson-Odoi all struggling for regular game time, and the arrival of Dembele would only make this situation worse.

Dembele may be attracted by the possibility of working with Tuchel once again, with the two having enjoyed a successful spell together in Germany.