NEWS: Chelsea ‘favourites’ to make Barcelona star first signing of Todd Boehly era at Stamford Bridge.

NEWS: Chelsea ‘favourites’ to make Barcelona star first signing of Todd Boehly era at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea are the favourites to sign Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele which could kick off the Todd Boehly era at Stamford Bridge.

Boehly completed his takeover of the west-London based club last month, with his consortium buying the club from Roman Abramovich.

The Blues are expected to invest heavily this summer as Boehly looks to put his stamp on the club and with a number of players expected to leave, reinforcements are likely to be brought in.

Antonio Rudiger has already confirmed his departure to Real Madrid this summer, whilst doubts over the futures of Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta have seen a number of defender linked.

However, talkSPORT is now reporting that Barcelona’s Dembele could be the first signing of the summer and of the new era at Chelsea.

The winger is out-of-contract at the end this month and is yet to agree new terms with the Spanish giants.

Barca are thought to keen on keeping him in Spain but with the financial struggles they are currently going through, they are unable to match his wage demands.

The Frenchman joined Barcelona for over £100m in 2017 but it has never really worked out for him in La Liga, with injury struggles and questions over his attitude marring his spell in Spain.

He now looks set to depart and Chelsea appear to be the frontrunners to secure his signature once his contract expires in a few weeks time.

Meanwhile, Paul Merson believes Chelsea’s biggest worry going into this summer will be how they replace German defender Antonio Rudiger.

The Blues are expected to invest heavily this summer as Boehly looks to put his stamp on the club and with a number of players expected to leave, reinforcements are likely to be brought in.

“Antonio Rudiger’s been absolutely outstanding for Chelsea. I can’t remember him having a bad game if I’m being honest,” Merson told Sportskeeda.

“He’s been consistently brilliant in the Premier League this season. Rudiger’s going to be a massive miss for Thomas Tuchel next season.

“He’s going to be a hard one to replace, and I’m not sure if the likes of Kalidou Koulibaly and Jules Kounde can fill his boots. If there is a worry for Chelsea this year, it’s finding Rudiger’s replacement.”