Chelsea might not launch the offensive for Barcelona contract rebel Ousmane Dembele, with his injury record reportedly forcing the Blues to reconsider a move.
According to the reliable Nathan Gissing, while writing for Gianluca Di Marzio’s website, Chelsea’s stance over signing Ousmane Dembele in a Bosman move in the summer transfer window has changed slightly. While the Blues remain interested in the Barcelona contract rebel, his fitness record is deterring them from launching an offer.
Ousmane Dembele is one of the most promising players to have joined Barcelona in the past decade. And while the French international has shown a lot of promise, his woeful fitness record and attitude problems have hampered his progress since arriving at Camp Nou from Borussia Dortmund nearly five years ago.
Dembele was superb this past season, as he provided more assists than anyone else in La Liga (13) despite playing only 21 games. However, the 25-year-old looks set to leave Barcelona by burning bridges at Camp Nou, with talks over a new contract dragging for an eternity. Meanwhile, his uncertain situation has captured the attention of Chelsea.
Recent reports have claimed that the Blues are the front-runners to land the Barcelona contract rebel. Chelsea will need to sign at least one forward in the summer transfer window, with several attacking players facing uncertain futures at Stamford Bridge.
Hakim Ziyech, Christian Pulisic, Timo Werner, and Romelu Lukaku have done themselves no favour with their inconsistent performances, and Chelsea might sell at least one of them this summer. Dembele has thus emerged as a viable target, especially with the player on the cusp of leaving Barcelona.
But according to Nathan Gissing, the west Londoners are reconsidering their stance on pursuing the Barcelona contract rebel in the summer transfer window. Dembele’s fitness record has left Chelsea with second thoughts about possibly launching the offensive for him.
Also Read: Three potential Ousmane Dembele replacements for Barcelona
Chelsea might pursue Raheem Sterling instead of Dembele if they bow out of the race to sign the Barcelona contract rebel. Recent reports have claimed that the Blues are confident about securing the services of the Manchester City forward, so Dembele might not join them this season.
