Premier League giants Chelsea are reportedly the favourites to sign Ousmane Dembele on a free transfer from Barcelona.

According to talkSPORT, Chelsea are in pole position to sign Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele on a free transfer this summer. Dembele’s contract with the Blaugrana runs down this summer and the two parties look far off from a potential extension, with a departure looking more and more likely now.

Dembele was close to a January exit from Barcelona, but he chose against moving to the Premier League. His form improved drastically in the second half of the season as he became one of the most important players for Xavi, who led the Catalan giants on a resurgent run.

Dembele finished the season with 13 league assists, the most in the recently-concluded La Liga season, 11 of which came after January. The 25-year-old was offered an improved contract by Barcelona, who came close to meeting his demands.

But a deal could not be struck between the two parties, and the French winger now seems set for a move to Chelsea. Should the move materialise, Dembele will reunite with Thomas Tuchel, who managed him at Borussia Dortmund.

Ousmane Dembele wanted by Chelsea, Liverpool and PSG (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
Ousmane Dembele is wanted by Chelsea (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Paris Saint-Germain, who are in the market to replace Angel Di Maria, are also said to be interested in the Barcelona forward. Liverpool are also reportedly in contact with Dembele’s entourage over a possible Bosman move. The Reds will likely lose Sadio Mane this summer.

TalkSPORT reporter Alex Crook claims Chelsea have now taken the lead in the race to sign Dembele, and the Frenchman is set to be ‘the first signing of the Todd Boehly era’.

Crook said, “This one has really taken off overnight. Chelsea look like they are favourites to sign Ousmane Dembele on a free transfer. He’s been letting his contract run down at Barcelona and he would be the first signing of the Todd Boehly era.”

Also Read: Three potential Ousmane Dembele replacements for Barcelona

Dembele’s stint at Barcelona has been largely underwhelming. He joined the Blaugrana from Borussia Dortmund in a deal worth €140 million as a promising 20-year-old but has failed to fulfil his potential in five seasons. In all, the 25-year-old has scored 32 times and assisted 34 goals in 150 appearances for the club. And he now looks set to join Chelsea in a Bosman move this summer.

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