Chelsea in Ousmane Dembele transfer blow as Barcelona star tells Xavi he wants to STAY and wants future sorted now

CHELSEA transfer target Ousmane Dembele has reportedly told Barcelona boss Xavi that he would like to STAY at the Nou Camp.

The 25-year-old is out of contract at the end of the month and has been linked with a move to Chelsea.

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A move to Stamford Bridge would see Dembele reunite with Thomas Tuchel, who he worked under at Borussia Dortmund.

However, according to Catalan paper Mundo Deportivo, Dembele has communicated with Barca boss Xavi that he would like to stay.

On Barca‘s side, the club are not prepared to budge on the offer already on the table to the Frenchman.

Should Dembele re-sign with the Catalan giants, he’ll play an integral role in Xavi’s frontline.

The winger was Barca’s creator in chief last season, picking up 13 assists in just 21 LaLiga games.

In May, Xavi said on Dembele’s situation: “Negotiations are ongoing and we are going to be optimistic.

“I hope he can stay – he has helped us a lot during the last six months.

“He’s a decisive player with lots of assists and he has been excellent in many games.

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“When he hasn’t played, we’ve missed him.

“He is a football player that I like and we’d like to stay, but we’ll have to see.”