Chelsea: 54-goal star 'getting close' to big decision amid Stamford Bridge links

Chelsea target Ousmane Dembele is set to commit his future to Barcelona, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.

The Blues were hoping to convince the Frenchman to swap the Nou Camp for Stamford Bridge, but the winger is now expected to stay in Spain.

Dembele is currently a free agent after his Barcelona deal expired at the end of last month, with Chelsea hoping to take advantage of his contract situation and sign him for nothing.

According to The Sun, the 25-year-old was ‘ready’ to reunite with Thomas Tuchel, after the pair spent 12 months together at Borussia Dortmund, with the German hoping to bring him in as a replacement for Romelu Lukaku.

Dembele, who’s scored 54 club goals in his career, wanted assurances over his game-time, having only started 15 La Liga matches for Barcelona last season.

But Chelsea’s hopes of signing the France international appear all-but over with Romano stating that Dembele has opted to remain at the Nou Camp and sign a two-year contract with the Spanish giants.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “With Dembele, the feeling I have speaking with some sources is in the last few hours that the player is getting closer to extending his contract with Barcelona. There is an association for a two-year deal in June 2024.”

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Despite appearing to miss out on Dembele’s signature, the Blues still have other alternatives out wide.

Raheem Sterling held further talks over a move to Stamford Bridge over the weekend, with the deal ‘progressing well‘ despite the two clubs yet to agree a fee for his services.

Tuchel’s men are also hoping to land Leeds ace Raphinha after being close to agreeing a £55m fee last week.

But the Londoners face stiff