Chelsea boss Graham Potter could be set to reignite the club’s former interest in FC Barcelona’s fearsome flanker Ousmane Dembele…

Barcelona are looking to swiftly accelerate contract talks with the French international following a recent report from Spanish publication Marca, stating that La Blaugrana may be resigned to losing the 25-year-old due to a release clause of €50m (£44m), which could prompt the Blues to make their move next summer, when it becomes active. 

The story continues to say that Chelsea are joined by Paris Saint-Germain in their interest, and are still indeed looking to swoop for the ace when the Barcelona transfer department displays a chink in the armour.

According to Spanish outlet El Desmarque in 2019, Chelsea were among the suitors for the dynamic winger at one point, and now could return for a player that could provide a timely boost amid a flagging season.

Having flourished for his club recently and playing a central role in France's surge towards the 2022 World Cup final, which they agonisingly lost on penalties to Argentina, he would make a marked impact on the west London giants, should a move materialise.

A huge Ziyech upgrade

Signed for Barca for a reported £135.5m from Borussia Dortmund in 2019, Dembele has often been plagued by injuries but have since found a vein of vitality to lead him towards a resurgence of sorts this past year.

As per Transfermarkt, Dembele has recorded five goals and seven assists from 20 outings for his outfit this term, dazzling down the right flank and steering the club back on track after a testing few years, with Barcelona currently topping the Spanish La Liga with 12 wins from 14 fixtures.

And last year, the 35-cap star really blossomed into his own; despite scoring just two goals, he served as Barcelona's roaring creative focal point in assisting 13 times from just 21 league appearances - illustrating the effect he can have if he can get fit and firing.

Dembele is one of the sport's premier offensive flankers, heralded as a "phenomenon" and a "jewel" by former teammate Rennes teammate Gelson Fernandes (via talkSPORT), and he would certainly boost a Blues side struggling for form and offensive fluidity.

The club currently languish in eighth place in the Premier League, picking up just six wins from 14 matches and scoring a paltry 17 goals - the lowest of any outfit within the top-ten.

With FBref ranking the £52.7m-rated gem within the top 2% off wingers for dribbles completed and rate of assists this past year, it's clear that his selfless creativity could kick the ball in motion for brighter horizons ahead at Stamford Bridge.

Should Chelsea manage to get the deal over the line, he would likely be a huge upgrade on Hakim Ziyech, who, despite a monumental World Cup campaign with Morocco, has failed to ignite any genuinely striking form with regularity at Stamford Bridge.

Having made 92 appearances for the club since his £33.3m move from AFC Ajax in 2020, the 29-year-old has only scored 14 goals and served ten assists, and Dembele could increase the output.

Indeed, the Moroccan has sank further down the pecking order at Chelsea this term, making nine showings and blanking with both goals and assists on each occasion.

Chelsea's newly-appointed technical director Christopher Vivell must throw the kitchen sink at Barcelona in a bid to sign their phenom, making an instant impact with the Blues faithful - and with a release clause allegedly soon materialising, a tantalising offer must be presented soon in order to secure his signature.