Ousmane Dembele's agent is reportedly holding a 'crucial meeting' in London fuelling speculation Chelsea are in talks with the Barcelona star.
The Frenchman is up for sale in January as the Spanish side are adamant they will not allow him to leave as a free agent in the summer with his contract running out.
Dembele has suffered a dismal injury-riddled spell at the Nou Camp after sealing a £120million move from Dortmund.
The 24-year-old played under Thomas Tuchel for a year at Signal Iduna Park before the pair would go their separate ways and it's been reported Chelsea are one of his potential suitors.
And according to the chief editor of the Barca Times, Shay Lugassi, Dembele's agent is now in London to hold a "crucial meeting" as he tries to resolve his client's future before the transfer window closes.
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Tuchel has been full of praise for Dembele and is stunned that he finds himself in this situation.
"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.
"We are not in close contact, we have met here and there because of his duties for the French national team when I was in Paris. 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."
Dembele's wage demands are proving to be a stumbling block in negotiations so far as he remains a Barcelona player with Deadline Day edging closer.
And former Manchester United player Luke Chadwick reckons no team in the world will give him the type of salary he is currently on.
Regardless, he doesn't think Dembele would be a good fit at Stamford Bridge.
Speaking to CaughtOffside, Chadwick said: "He is a hugely exciting player when he is on form - great speed, balance, skill on the ball. But with his wage demands, I would be surprised if anyone in world football gave that to him.
"He needs to find a level of consistency and find a club where he stays for a period of time. He'd be an exciting signing for the Premier League, and that next move is a hugely important one for him.
"Obviously that previous relationship (with Tuchel) always helps a lot. I think in terms of the shape Chelsea play, I am not sure it would suit him. They don't tend to play with out-and-out wingers, it is more inverted wide-men.
"I am not sure that the shape would suit him, but then maybe a player like that comes in you change your shape to fit him. Overall, I am not sure I see Dembele at Chelsea."
