Chelsea's chances of signing Ousmane Dembele on a free transfer this summer are growing with Barcelona getting frustrated with the contract renewal talks, according to reports.
Dembele, 25, is out of contract at the end of June and will leave if no agreement can be struck with Xavi Hernandez' side. Talks have been held with the winger and his representative Moussa Sissoko in both Morocco and Barcelona, however the Catalan giants are yet to hear anything back.
Time is running out and now, according to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona are 'fed up' of Dembele and his camp's lack of dialogue ahead of the 30 June contract expiry date. They are 'getting used to the idea' of the France international departing at the end of the month.
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As it stands, Dembele will not be offered a new contract proposal by the Spanish side, handing him a take it or leave it ultimatum.
He has plenty of interest across Europe including from Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, however the French side are believed to have cooled their interest, handing Thomas Tuchel the perfect chance to seize the opportunity of a reunion with Dembele, who he worked with in their time together at Borussia Dortmund.
Recent reports have suggested Chelsea are growing in confidence of sealing a potential transfer as Tuchel looks to rebuild his Blues side in the hope of challenging Manchester City and Liverpool for the Premier League title next season.
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Dembele is among the list of several targets for Thomas Tuchel and the new owners of the the club - Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital - with Raheem Sterling and Christopher Nkunku both linked with a switch to Stamford Bridge.
The transfer window opens on 10 June for Chelsea and Premier League clubs, and the Blues will be looking to get their business done as early as possible this summer in time for their pre-season training return to Cobham on 2 July ahead of their United States tour next month.
Tuchel knows it is pivotal for Chelsea to act quickly and decisively in the transfer market with Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur expected to challenge at the top end of the table next term.
"It will be a super tough race. Manchester United will be in the race and Tottenham will be in the race with Antonio Conte for sure," said the Blues boss last month.
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"We want to stay in the race and Liverpool and Man City do everything to make their squads bigger and they set the standard so high. This is the challenge in which we compete."
Topics: Ousmane Dembele, Chelsea, Chelsea Transfer News & Rumours, Barcelona, Football
Matthew Debono