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Moussa Dembélé has emerged as one of the most talked about potential Chelsea transfer targets in the first couple weeks of the January transfer window, even though all concerned have continually played down any such possibilities.
His current team, headed by talkative and annoying president Jean-Michael Aulas, have already released one public statement. Here’s another.
“Moussa Dembélé will not leave because he wants to stay to win something with Lyon.
“There have been offers for him and for other players but none of those that we want to keep will leave in January.”
-Jean-Michel Aulas; source: London Evening Standard
We might remember Aulas from the Michael Essien saga, where he similarly denied and denied and denied, all the way up to Essien actually signing with Chelsea.
But this time he’s also joined by Chelsea’s side of the equation, with head coach Frank Lampard playing down any major signings anytime soon. He’s specifically ruled out Dembélé, even, in response to all the rumors floating about.
Lampard says he and club know Dembele but is surprised his name keeps popping up so regularly. "Not one we are openly talking about." Says no signings are imminent.
— Simon Johnson (@SJohnsonSport) January 10, 2020
Chelsea may not be “openly” talking about Dembélé, but none of this is stopping the rumor mill.
In fact, here’s yet another report, this time from L’Equipe (via Inside Futbol), who claim that Chelsea “could” be making a concerted effort later this month for the 23-year-old’s signature. Manchester United and Spurs have also been linked, though the latter look to be signing AC Milan’s Krzysztof Piątek as cover for the injured Harry Kane.