Manchester United suffer setback in pursuit of transfer target Ousmane Dembele
Spanish outlet SPORT (h/t Express) states in a report that Ousmane Dembele is willing to stay at Barcelona amid transfer links to Manchester United for a summer move.
The Catalan club signed the French winger back in 2017 for a £117m fee. He signed a five-year contract which is due to expire in the summer of 2022.
If Dembele does not renew his deal with Barcelona by this month next year, he would be free to agree transfer terms with foreign clubs for a move. Such a situation would have forced the Catalans to cash in on him this summer itself, rather than lose him for nothing a year later.
And this spurred Manchester United, along with fellow Premier League side Chelsea, to monitor his situation. But now, it is said that the winger is happy at Barcelona and wants to stay beyond the summer.
Juventus are another club in the running for the former Borussia Dortmund winger. The Serie A club would be willing to offer a big wage package to Dembele.
Dembele pursuit could be off
And amid Barcelona’s current economic crisis, Dembele’s move could be affected by Juventus’ big offer. Barcelona officials are also in doubt over the winger’s form. (h/t Express)
He has started in just 8 of their 19 league games so far this season. Manchester United have two up-and-coming wingers in the same position where Dembele prefers to play.
The club has sealed the deal for youngsters Facundo Pellistri and Amad Diallo in the past 6 months. But, Dembele would obviously strengthen the club’s forward line significantly.
His quality is there for all to see. The winger bagged 10 goals and 21 assists for Dortmund in 2016/17; the season which made Barcelona splurge all that cash for him in the summer. (h/t Transfermarkt)
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It remains to be seen if Dembele does put pen to paper at Barcelona. If he does not, a move to Old Trafford would certainly amazing business from Ed Woodward and co.
