Chelsea transfer news: The Blues are reportedly keen to bring in Ousmane Dembele once more as Mauricio Pochettino plans wholesale changes to the attack.
Despite Chelsea's determination to add a central midfielder to their side they continue to look elsewhere in the transfer market. Their progress with Moises Caicedo has so far been slow and interest in other areas has continued alongside talks with Brighton.
Paulo Dybala has been heavily linked, as has Paris Saint-Germain superstar Neymar. The links are plentiful and options mounting. It seems, four weeks into the window, that no attacking player is off-limits.
Harvey Vale, who the club wish to keep long-term, is another left-footed attacker that has seen competition for his place in the senior side both short and long-term become infinitely tougher. Whether there is enough room in the squad for that many players is a serious question to be asked, even if many are out on loan for the coming season.
Dybala would add to that list, even if he does prefer a central role behind the striker. Jackson, who has come off the left before in his career, is another left-footed player in the group. Mykhailo Mudryk is a further option and features primarily from the left and the latest attacking player to be linked fits into this category as well.
Barcelona's Ousmane Dembele has once more been freshly announced as a target for the Blues and given their history with him and the left-footedness of the recruits, it makes sense. Dembele finished as the second most productive player per90 at Barcelona last year behind Roberto Lewandowksi with five goals and seven assists.
In just 16 starts and 1,400 minutes, it is an impressive return. The playmaker continued to show his ability to come from either wing seamlessly, often switching between the flanks on a weekly basis or even during matches. His output was consistent throughout as well.
Only twice did he contribute more than once to a goal in the same game. Outside of a lengthy injury spell, one of the genuine concerns about him even with a player of his quality, he scored or assisted more than once per two games in terms of minutes played.
For a reported £42.9million ($56m) this summer is said Chelsea can sign him before his contract runs out in 2024. He only signed an extension in Catalonia last year following a lengthy saga that saw Chelsea pursue him deep into the window. Now, with Barcelona continuing to be plagued by financial issues, the Blues have been listed as a potential suitor once again.
"It is something very special because we had an incredible year in Dortmund and he is an incredible player," Aubameyang told Mundo Deportivo and Sport last year. He has since gone on to leave Barcelona following a deadline day move to Stamford Bridge last summer.
Aubameyang was unable to transfer his Barcelona, Dortmund or Arsenal form to west London, though. He scored just three times, all in October, and found himself quickly sidelined as Graham Potter took over from Thomas Tuchel, who had fought so hard to sign him.
"Ousmane is one of the best with the ball and, for a striker, he is incredible," Aubameyang continued. The chances of them lining up together once more appear slim though. Even if Dembele was to swap Barcelona for Chelsea he would be surprised if Aubameyang had any role to play in the first-team matters.
Even if the issue is resolved and Aubameyang leaves, it could end up costing Chelsea the chance of signing Dembele and Aubameyang's very involvement would only help their bid to bring him in. However, the ultimate goal here is to rid themselves of the Gabon striker and if that means taking a hit on Dembele, it may well be worth the risk.
Which of the following prospects would you like to see in the first team, or loaned out for experience? Swipe to have your say...
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