CHELSEA’S hopes of signing Ousmane Dembele have been boosted with reports he will miss the start of Barcelona’s pre-season today.
The France winger, 25, is now a free agent after refusing to sign an extension to his deal at the Nou Camp.
Ousmane Dembele has turned down a new contract offer at Barcelona Credit: GETTY IMAGES The La Liga giants had given him until 9pm on Sunday to sign up again so that he could undergo their standard medical this morning, according to AS.
Their report explains: “This call did not take place within the set deadline so his presence on the first day of work at FC Barcelona is ruled out.
“Thus, he will not be in the first training session of the course scheduled at 7pm in the Ciutat Esportiva.
“In the club they trust this situation will be unraveled in the next few days, more than anything so that [manager] Xavi can know if he can count on him or not in his planning.”
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Chelsea closing in on £45m Sterling transfer, Blues favourite to land De Ligt AS say the new deal on offer had a “salary reduction of 40 per cent compared to his previous contract”.
They understand it “would be a relatively short contract, lasting only two years”.
The report adds that whether they keep Dembele of not, Barca will remain in the hunt to sign Leeds’ sought-after Brazil winger Raphinha.
Reports emerged last month that Chelsea are best-placed to sign Dembele on a free this summer.
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Dembele played under Blues boss Thomas Tuchel at Borussia Dortmund, with his fine form earning a £135million move to Barcelona in 2017.
Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain have also both been linked with the 27-cap star.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
