Pranav Nair
Manchester United target Moussa Dembele on the verge of joining Atletico Madrid
According to Sky Sports, Manchester United target Moussa Dembele is close to joining Spanish giants Atletico Madrid.
The French striker was linked with a move to Old Trafford as early as last November. The trail has since gone cold.
The 24-year-old has failed to hit his usual heights this season. With just one goal in 16 appearances so far, it is understandable why United appear to have passed on his signature.
Reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed that the paperwork regarding the deal is now completed. Dembele will join Atletico initially on a loan with an option to buy.
The player will now undergo his medical before completing the switch. There is no obligation for the Spaniards to make the deal permanent. It can work in our favour if we do decide to make a move for him in the summer.
The Frenchman has played in the UK before, with Fulham and Celtic. At just 24, he has his best years ahead of him and can improve. Whether United will rekindle their interest in the future remains to be seen.
The signing of Edinson Cavani has breathed fresh life into the United attack. So much so that the presence of Odion Ighalo at the club has gone unnoticed.
With the Nigerian set to leave the club in January, United will be short of numbers come the second half of the season. Anthony Martial has failed to hit last season’s heights and Cavani will turn 34 by the time the season ends.
Bringing in a new striker should be on the agenda come the summer. Whether that player will be Dembele remains to be seen.
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Dembele’s poor return this season can be put down to a lack of motivation. He will have to considerably improve if he is keen to turn his career around.
It remains to be seen if he will have better luck than Thomas Lemar at the Wanda Metropolitano.
