"One step away from dropping his pants and accepting the offer" - Journalist says 25-year-old Barcelona star has made dramatic contract U-turn

Spanish journalist Javi Miguel has claimed that Ousmane Dembele is close to signing a new contract at Barcelona, with his current deal set to expire next week.

Dembele arrived at the Camp Nou in 2017 in a move from Borussia Dortmund for €105 million plus a reported €40 million in add-ons. The France international has failed to live up to lofty expectations. He has also missed 101 games due to injuries and COVID.

Dembele has scored 32 times and provided 34 assists in 150 appearances for Barcelona across his five seasons. He netted just once for Xavi Hernandez's side last term although he did provide 13 assists in La Liga, the most by any player in the league.

The 25-year-old has been heavily linked with a free transfer to Chelsea this summer. However, Miguel has claimed on Twitter that Dembele is ready to sign a contract extension at Barcelona, which was the same offer he received back in December.

The journalist declared:

"Dembele is one step away from dropping his pants and accepting the offer he has had since December and which he has systematically ignored/rejected. On Monday, I called Xavi asking him to intercede with Laporta: "There will be no new offer, you accept the one you have or bye."

Barca have been heavily linked to Leeds United star Raphinha during the window, who plays in the same position as Dembele on the right-wing. However, with the Premier League side under no pressure to sell and with Barcelona's finances tight as things stand, the deal looks unlikely.

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Chelsea have dialed down their interest in Barcelona winger'

According to SPORT (as per Sports Witness), the Blues are looking at alternatives to Dembele, after being 'surprised by the footballer’s demands'.

With the Frenchman's wage demands reportedly extremely high, the Blues will instead turn their attention to trying to sign Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling. The Englishman has just a year left on his contract at the Etihad and wants to become the focal point at a big club.

The report also claims that the Blues did not like the player demanding to be a first-team regular, with Thomas Tuchel already having outstanding options across the front three.

Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) were also reportedly interested in signing Dembele although their desire to sign the pacy winger has since diminished. The Ligue 1 champions are seeking their first summer signing and are also looking for a replacement for Angel Di Maria. The Argentine is expected to leave the Parc des Princes on a free transfer at the end of the month.