Chelsea's prospective new owners remain keen to sign Ousmane Dembele from Barcelona this summer and plan to reopen talks with the Frenchman if he is still available after their takeover is completed, 90min understands.

The Blues were leading the chase to sign Dembele on a free transfer this summer once his Camp Nou contract expires, but the sanctions imposed on Roman Abramovich have forbidden them from negotiating any player transfers, leaving them unable to make an offer to the 25-year-old.

American Todd Boehly is confident that his group are close to finalising their takeover and is keen to get to work updating the squad, and one of their most pressing concerns is landing Dembele on a free.

Both Chelsea and PSG made bids in January to sign him from Barcelona, but a deal was not forthcoming as the player was happy to wait until the end of the season.