Chelsea interested in signing 22-goal French striker

Chelsea are reportedly set to retain their interest in signing Moussa Dembele from Lyon when the transfer window reopens this summer.

The Blues had made a £34m bid for the Frenchman in January but Les Gones turned down the package as they were reluctant to sanction his sale at the midway stage of the season.

According to Metro, the west London side will return for the striker's services this summer and their chances of signing him will be boosted with Les Gones likely to miss out on next season's Champions League.

The Ligue 1 season was finished prematurely last month due to the coronavirus pandemic and as a result, the French outfit only managed to finish seventh in the standings.

They can still qualify for the Champions League next term by winning the competition but that remains a difficult prospect with the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain still in the hunt for the title.

Dembele, who has netted 22 times for Lyon this term, could be available for a fee between £34m and £40m this summer. Manchester United have recently been linked with his signature.