Reports suggest that Barcelona have come to a decision regarding French winger Ousmane Dembele's future.
Barca head coach Xavi Hernandez is reportedly ready to quit his quest to get Dembele to sign a brand-new contract with the Blaugrana.
The Frenchman's initial deal with the Catalans came to its conclusion on 30 June, and he is now currently a free agent. The LaLiga giants have offered the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner fresh terms, but he seems to be stalling on signing the contract.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the five-time European champions will now turn their attention to Brazilian winger Raphinha.
The report suggests that the club hoped they could have both players co-exist within the Barca ecosystem, but it now seems it will be one or the other.
Raphinha agreed personal terms with the Blaugrana a while ago, with Spain understood to be the 25-year-old's next preferred destination.
However, because of Barca's financial instability, they have yet to agree a fee for the skilful forward with his current club Leeds United.
It is understood that west London side Chelsea have, though. The Premier League teams have reportedly agreed a £55 million (R1.1 billion) fee for the Port Alegre native as the Blues look to bolster their attacking options following the loan departure of Romelu Lukaku to Inter Milan.
Chelsea could also be a possible destination for Dembele. The France international could reunite with his former Borussia Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel at Stamford Bridge, and personal terms would likely not be an issue for the EPL club.
As per the same report, at Barca, Dembele would have to take a significant pay cut and earn the same as the likes of Ansu Fati and Pedri should he wish to stay at the Camp Nou.
With the European season set to start in about a month's time, the former Stade Rennais attacker will need to come to a decision soon.
