Chelsea to battle with PSG for Dembele on free transfer

The Frenchman will leave Barcelona for nothing in the summer

Posted Wednesday, February 02, 2022 by Marca.com

Ousmane Dembele was on his way out of Barcelona in the January transfer window, or so it seemed. The Frenchman's position at the Camp Nou was made clear to him and everybody outside the club as well. He wasn't needed, and he should have sought a new home.

But Dembele didn't want to leave. Paris Saint-Germain expressed interest in him, as did a Premier League club that is believed to be Chelsea. Dembele, for whatever reason, decided to stay and see out the remaining months of his Barcelona contract.

"I am very surprised that he did not accept a proposal he had from an English club," Joan Laporta said of Dembele's situation after the window had closed. "He did not want to. It did not make sense, because it was not good for him or for the club. He would have allowed us to work with more tranquillity in the market.

"We think that Dembele already has a contract with another club; they have insinuated that to us. What we will do is defend the interests of the club."

Chelsea still interested

It looked as though PSG were set to sign him, but a deadline day deal fell through. Now, Sky Sports say that Chelsea remain interested in the Frenchman with their idea being to bring him in for nothing at the end of the season, and they are free to open talks with him at any point between now and then.

"I have no idea about his situation with Barcelona," said Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel earlier in January, quizzed about a possible move for Dembele. "He is a very good player when he is in good shape.

"I was very lucky to train him at Dortmund. It only lasted a year but I wish it had been longer. I left and so did he."