Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele is now reportedly set to stay at the Camp Nou, despite recent comments from his agent suggesting that a move was inevitable with Chelsea and Arsenal both linked to the attacker.
Dembele made the move to Barcelona back in 2017 after Neymar was sold to Paris Saint-Germain but struggled to recreate the form that shot him to fame at Borussia Dortmund.
But having shone under Thomas Tuchel, the German was reportedly eager to bring the France international to Stamford Bridge to revitalise his career and bolster the Blues attacking options.
The player's agent, Moussa Sissoko, also publicly denounced Barcelona's contract negotiations and condemned the apparent pressures they were putting on his client.
"It's a stroke of pressure that doesn't work with people like us," Sissoko told RMC Sport.
"Maybe it can work with agents who are close with Barcelona. It's not my case, I am here to defend the interests of my player.
"The truth must be told. Yes, we have demanding demands, but we have already shown that Ousmane's career choices are not dictated by money, otherwise he wouldn't be here.
"Then if Barcelona wanted to negotiate, he could have tried to come to the table with us to discuss. Except that there is no discussion and threats no longer work on their side. It's forbidden. We will assert Ousmane Dembele's rights if necessary."
However, a surprising development has now taken place, according to Sport.ES.
They claim that the winger and his agent met with Barcelona manager Xavi to reveal his wish to remain with the Spanish giants, marking a significant U-turn from their previous stance.
In the meeting, Sissoko reportedly emphasised Dembele's commitment to the club and how proud he was to represent the Blaugrana.
It is a development that could prove to be a hammer blow to Arsenal and Chelsea's chances of bolstering their attacking unit this month.
