The 25-year-old is thought to be in advanced talks with Premier League side Chelsea, despite months of contract negotiations with the Catalan giants.
Since joining Barcelona for £120 million from Borussia Dortmund in 2017, the France winger has struggled to live up to expectations in Catalonia, with a series of fitness and discipline difficulties derailing his time at the Nou Camp.
Despite his problems since arriving in Spain, he was able to force his way into the team in the last months of the season under Xavi, but it hasn’t changed his mind.
According to journalist Santi Ovalle of Cadena Ser’s ‘Que t’hi jugues,’ the French attacker has turned down the Catalan club’s latest offer.
According to the sam source, Barca will not make a new offer, which means Dembele will be free to go when his contract at Camp Nou expires on June 30.
Despite giving Dembele a one-year contract extension with an £8.67 million release clause, the Catalan giants were reportedly known for several weeks that he would reject a new agreement.
Instead, his agent is in advanced talks with Chelsea, after manager Thomas Tuchel selected the Frenchman, with whom he previously worked at Dortmund, as one of his top transfer targets heading into the summer transfer season.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is in need of attacking reinforcements, with several current players’ futures in doubt, including Romelu Lukaku, Christian Pulisic, and Timo Werner.
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In 150 games with Barcelona, Dembele scored 32 goals and added 34 assists, winning two Spanish titles and as many Copas del Rey.
