Paper round-up: Chelsea reportedly favourites to sign Dembele

Chelsea are reported to be favourites to sign Ousmane Dembele on a free transfer.

The 25-year-old joined Barcelona for around £120m five years ago but his contract expires this summer and he will be available on a free transfer.

Chelsea have been linked with him multiple times in the last couple of years – and The Sun on Sunday suggest the Blues are in pole position to sign him and that Demebele is on course to be the club’s first signing under new owner Todd Boehly.


The story is based largely on Talksport recently suggesting that Dembele could be heading to Stamford Bridge.

Meanwhile, Arsenal are willing to offer Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus £190,000 a week to move to the Emirates Stadium, again according to The Sun on Sunday.

Jesus, 25, is said to earn around £110,000 a week at City, so a move to north London would therefore involve a hefty pay rise.

His contract expires next year and there has been speculation about his future, with clubs in Italy and Spain also linked with him.

City boss Pep Guardiola reportedly wants to keep Jesus and the club will apparently demand at least £50m for him.

With Christian Eriksen’s short-term contract at Brentford expiring, there remains speculation about where he will be playing next season.

The Sunday Mirror say new Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag wants to sign Eriksen – and that Ajax are set to offer Tottenham £18m for Steven Bergwijn.