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Man United receive transfer blow as World-cup winning star is set to stay put at current club

Manchester United eye Ousmane Dembele amidst Barcelona contract stalemate .
Manchester United eye Ousmane Dembele amidst Barcelona contract stalemate .

Manchester United target Ousmane Dembele will not be sold this summer

Manchester United had identified Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele as an alternative to Jadon Sancho.

Although the Borussia Dortmund star was the club’s top summer target, negotiations with the Germans have hit an impasse.

It now appears that the Red Devils will also have to strike off Dembele from the list. Speaking on Barcelona TV (h/t Daily Mail), Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu named the Frenchman as one of the players the Catalans are keen to retain.

Manchester United target Ousmane Dembele is not for sale
Manchester United target Ousmane Dembele is not for sale

With Dutch boss Ronald Koeman taking over, Barcelona have identified just eight players whose future at the club is secure for now. Dembele is one of them as the Blaugrana seek to rebuild their team.

He also went on to add that another United target, Ansu Fati, will also remain at the club. Bartomeu revealed that there have been offers for the teenage sensation. Whether there was one from United or not remains unknown.

Talented yet risky

Dembele was one of the best young players leading up to his big-money move to the Nou Camp. Although he has shown flashes of brilliance, it has come few and far in between.

Jadon Sancho remains Manchester United's preferred choice
Jadon Sancho remains Manchester United’s preferred choice

A major reason for this has been the player’s poor injury record. Dembele has missed 80 games due to injury during his three years at the club.

During the same time, he has made 74 appearances, scoring 19 goals and 17 assists. The fact that he has missed more games than he has played is an extremely troubling statistic to consider.

Despite his injuries, Barcelona have a real player on their hands provided they can keep him fit. It would now appear that any chance of him switching to Old Trafford this summer has gone up in smoke.

Ansu Fati will also not be sold this summer
Ansu Fati will also not be sold this summer

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Bartomeu’s comments would suggest that other players linked to United such as Samuel Umtiti, Ivan Rakitic, and Arturo Vidal could be available.

Whether any of them would make the mvoe to Old Trafford remains to be seen.

Written by Pranav Nair

An Engineering postgraduate with a keen interest in statistics, pop culture and football.

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