Chelsea are struggling to find a solution for the prospect of signing Ousmane Dembele as a free agent next season, claims Sky Sports Germany. The Blues are eager to improve their forward line after loaning Romelu Lukaku to Inter Milan for the upcoming campaign.
Chelsea in Complicated Situation With Ousmane Dembele
Dembele Remains Thomas Tuchel’s Priority Target
The Blues are entangled in a complicated state with their pursuit of signing Dembele despite being close to signing him recently. Interestingly, Dembele is eager to join Chelsea in the summer but is not willing to bring down his high wage demands either.
There doesn’t seem to be a solution in sight for this entire deal. Barcelona manager Xavi is still hoping to be able to keep Dembele in his squad for next season and wants him to stay and sign a new contract with his club.
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The French winger is still Thomas Tuchel’s priority for the summer after impressing for Barcelona last season. Indeed, Dembele registered 13 assists in the previous campaign – the joint-third highest for any player in Europe. He had 12 assists in La Liga and created more goals than any other player in the competition.
Thomas Tuchel’s interest in Ousmane Dembele is so strong that #Chelsea are willing to offer him €8M-a-year to join the club. Tuchel’s side are pressing Dembele to accept their offer.
[ @mundodeportivo ] pic.twitter.com/Te2bt7srLq
— Ines Star (@NestaInes1) June 25, 2022
Past History With Tuchel
Dembele has close connections with the Chelsea manager as they both worked together at Borussia Dortmund. In his one and only season with the Bundesliga club, Dembele thrived in Tuchel’s system in the 2016/17 campaign, scoring ten goals and registering 21 assists in all competitions.
That amazing season sparked interest from a lot of major clubs before Barcelona were able to sign him for over €105 million as a replacement for Neymar. Dembele has since gained a lot of praise from Tuchel, who once referred to him as ‘one of the craziest talents‘ he has ever seen or been able to manage.
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That is why the German manager is so eager to reunite with the Dembele and sign him as a free agent next month. But because of the 25-year-old’s major wage demands, the deal is not being able to go through as smoothly as it should have.
Chelsea are keeping alternatives in mind just in case it doesn’t happen. They are eyeing a move to sign Raheem Sterling from Manchester City as well as Richarlison from Everton. With new co-owner Todd Boehly assuming the transfer negotiation duties, it remains to be seen whether he can make Dembele the first signing of his era at Stamford Bridge.
