Ousmane Dembele: Tuchel Speaks on Embattled Barca Winger as Agent Flies to London for Talks
- Thomas Tuchel speaks on ousted Barca winger as agent flies to London to seek greener pastures
- Ousmane Dembele’s agent is in London for talks as the Frenchman seeks a new club ahead of the close of the winter transfer window
- Reports suggest the 24-year old could potentially join the Premier League, with Chelsea his most likely destination
- Dembele briefly worked with Tuchel at Borussia Dortmund, before securing a move to Barcelona in 2017
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has made it clear that he is a huge admirer of Ousmane Dembele, despite the Frenchman’s current woes at Barcelona.
Source: Getty Images
Barca are keen on selling the 24-year old winger in the January transfer window as the club remains adamant they are not willing to allow him to leave for free in the summer.
Contract talks between Dembele and Barcelona seemingly broke down and the Frenchman’s agent has now flown to London in a bid to secure a move for his client before the January window closes.
Since signing for Barcelona in 2017 for £120million, Dembele’s time at the Nou Camp has been hampered with consistent injuries.
Chief editor of the Barca Times Shay Lugassi now reports that Dembele’s agent is holding ‘crucial meetings’ in London to try to solve the winger’s transfer equation with only a few days to the close of the winter transfer window.
What does Tuchel think of Dembele?
With Dembele’s agent in London, reports are rife that the talented winger could well make as shock move to Tuchel’s Chelsea.
Tuchel is familiar with Dembele’s abilities on the ball as the pair briefly worked together at Borussia Dortmund before each went their separate ways.
In a recent press conference, Tuchel said he was surprised at how Dembele’s contract situation at Barcelona is turning out, especially considering his talent.
"He’s a very good player, and I am very fortunate to have trained him in my time at Dortmund. It was only one year, it should have been longer, but I needed to leave and he decided to leave," the German said.
On a potential transfer to Chelsea, however, Tuchel seemed to play things down as he claimed he was not in ‘close contact’ with the player.
“We exchanged some messages. I have absolutely no idea why he is in this situation, I don’t know the details, so it’s better not to talk." He went on.
Part of the reason Dembele’s contract talks at Barcelona hit a snag was because of his reported astronomical wage demands.
Source: Sports Brief News