BREAKING: Ousmane Dembele set to snub Chelsea to sign new deal with Barcelona (Fabrizio Romano)

After becoming a free agent at the end of June, Ousmane Dembele has decided to return to Barcelona, writes Fabrizio Romano.

It is reported that a full agreement has been reached with the Blaugrana over a new deal that will see the 25-year-old France international accept a reduced salary to continue his career at Camp Nou.

While Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain have been linked with him, it looks as though Dembele’s priority was always to continue with Barcelona, despite his agents testing the waters across Europe; and it is now understood that only final approval is required over his new contract that will secure him at the club until June 2024.

Dembele has been a priority for Xavi Hernandez this summer, having impressed the LaLiga side’s manager when he welcomed him back into first-team activities. He made 21 appearances in Spain’s top flight last season and assisted 13 goals.