Chelsea are one of the clubs to have shown interest in Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembélé. He played under the orders of the current Blues manager, Thomas Tuchel, when the two were at Borussia Dortmund.
On December 8th, Mundo Deportivo reported the La Liga side ‘suspect’ the German coach is behind the west London club ‘pushing’ for the 24-year-old’s transfer.
The France international’s current deal runs down in 2022 and last week Foot Mercato explained the attacker is set to sign a new deal at the Camp Nou.
Journalist Gerard Romero reported late on Wednesday that won’t happen, because the player’s demands are ‘way too high’. These claims are relayed by Foot Mercato, who then provide more details on this case.
It’s stated a meeting took place yesterday, between the player’s camp and the Spanish club’s leaders, to sort out the ex-Dortmund man’s renewal. The parties couldn’t find an agreement and their positions are ‘too far apart’ to reach a resolution.
🚨 Info : Ousmane Dembélé 🇫🇷 ne prolongera à #Barcelone, comme l'a rapporté @gerardromero.
• Le #PSG, #Chelsea, Manchester United, le #Bayern, #Newcastle ont tous contacté son agent Moussa Sissoko 🇫🇷. • Sissoko 🇫🇷 a réclamé au Barça 40M€ de salaire bruts et 40M€ de prime. pic.twitter.com/50NXUziPbC
— Santi Aouna (@Santi_J_FM) December 29, 2021
Foot Mercato explain Dembélé demanded a gross annual salary of €40m plus a signing on bonus of €40m to commit his long-term future to the Catalan club. His entourage believe the Frenchman is the ‘future of Barca’ and feel the demands made are ‘legitimate’.
When discussing suitors, Chelsea are one of the clubs tagged. Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna states the Champions League winners have ‘contacted’ the player’s agent.
Tuchel’s side are in the picture, along with other suitors and therefore the website states Dembélé will not find it hard to find a new club.
Now that he has decided not to sign a contract, it remains to be seen whether Barca will look to cut ties with Dembélé in January and earn some money in the process or let him leave as a free agent next summer.
