Barcelona have reportedly stepped up their pursuit of Belgian forward Eden Hazard by offering Chelsea the chance to sign Ousmane Dembele.
Hazard hinted after last week’s World Cup win against England that he wants to quit Stamford Bridge this summer following six years at the club.
Real Madrid are the side most strongly associated with the 27-year-old, although La Liga rivals Barcelona are also rumoured to have shown an interest in the past.
According to Spanish outlet Sport, it is Barca who have taken the first step towards signing Hazard as they look to shake up their forward line.
Dembele, who struggled with injuries in his first campaign at Camp Nou, is being used as a makeweight in a player-plus-cash deal.
The report claims that new Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri will first hold face-to-face talks with Hazard before deciding whether to take up Barcelona’s offer.
