Pranav Nair
Boost for Manchester United as Ousmane Dembele negotiations with Barcelona stall
According to Diario Sport, Barcelona’s negotiations with Ousmane Dembele has stalled amidst interest from Manchester United.
The 23-year-old has played a key role in Ronald Koeman’s Barcelona side. He has so far made 38 appearances, scoring ten goals and assisting four more. (h/t Transfermarkt)
Barcelona won the Copa Del Rey at the weekend and now have their sights set on the La Liga title. With just a year left on his current deal, Dembele’s future at the Nou Camp is far from certain.
Despite the current standstill, Barcelona is not out of the running in keeping the French international. Dembele and his representatives will sit down once again with the Catalans once this summer’s European Championships are over.
Agreeing on a new deal could see Barcelona insert a reported €120m release clause into the player’s contract. Still just 23, he has his best years ahead of him and could grow into a leading player in the years to come.
Dembele joined Barcelona in 2017 for big money but has not shown a consistent run of performances. Both injuries and inconsistency have so far prevented him from putting out his best on a regular basis.
Koeman is a fan of the player and is keen to keep him at Barcelona. The Barcelona boss also played spoilsport in United’s efforts to land the player last summer.
United considered the Frenchman as an alternative to the expensive Jadon Sancho last summer. A year on, there still appears to be interest in Dembele.
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Possessing pace, skill and directness, Dembele will add a new dimension to the United frontline. Bringing him in would enhance an attack that has at times lacks inspiration.
With the European Super League on the horizon, it remains to be seen how transfers between Europe’s top sides will be impacted.
