Aniket Rai
FC Barcelona open contract talks with Ousmane Dembele
A report by ESPN (h/t Daily Express) claims that Barcelona have opened contract talks with Manchester United target Ousmane Dembele.
The 23-year-old winger was linked with a move to Manchester United last summer but chose to stay and fight for his place in the Barcelona starting XI instead of switching to Old Trafford.
Ousmane Dembele joined Barcelona from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2017 but has since failed to cement his spot in the Barcelona starting XI until recently.
Injuries and inconsistency have marred his time at Camp Nou, but new Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman seems to have put his trust in the young Frenchman by opening talks with him for a new long-term deal at the club. (h/t Daily Express)
Dembele’s current contract runs out in the summer of 2022 but a revival of his Barcelona career under Koeman can see the Frenchman sign a deal with the La Liga champions.
The report claims that Manchester United are still interested in the player and will monitor his contract discussions with Barcelona.
Ousmane Dembele has featured in 11 games this season for Barcelona, which is already 2 more than he did in the whole of last season.
The Frenchman has also contributed with 4 goals and 2 assists this season and has become one of Barcelona’s main threats going forward. (h/t Transfermarkt)
The Red Devils have a void to fill on the right flank and Dembele could be the perfect short-term solution, even if the club decides to get him on a loan deal.
While the club is loaded with left-wingers, there is no established right-winger available. Whatever the cost, any deal for a young and talented player like Dembele would be wise thinking by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
