Varun Pai
Transfer News: Barcelona hand 15-day contract ultimatum to Ousmane Dembele amidst interest from Manchester United
According to transfer news on Mundo Deportivo (h/t ESPN), Barcelona have provided Ousmane Dembele with a 15-day ultimatum to sign a new contract amidst interest from Manchester United.
The 24-year-old winger signed for the 5-time European Champions for a mammoth €105million in 2017. However, in the last five seasons, he has only managed to score 30 goals in 121 appearances. Despite this, the Spanish outfit wants to keep him at the club.
Dembele shares this feeling and has told his teammates that he wants to stay put. However, his agent, Moussa Sissoko, is advising him to sound out offers from other clubs, as it could benefit him financially.
Man United are in the race to sign him, as are cash-flushed Newcastle United. However, neither club have made a firm offer for his services yet.
Not a priority
Dembele is a world-class talent on his day. However, his injury concerns are a huge worry. Signing a player of his calibre on massive wages just to see him stay on the sidelines does not seem like a smart move.
We already possess Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Anthony Martial, Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Edinson Cavani, and Jesse Lingard up front. However, Cavani and Lingard are both in the final few months of his contract while Ronaldo is not getting any younger. Add to it Martial’s streak of inconsistency and it is clear that Man United can do with another dynamic young player in attack.
Also, the prospect of him being available on a free transfer is tempting. At 24, one might argue that Dembele’s best years are still ahead of him. With Ralf Rangnick set to take over, it remains to be seen if the German can help unleash Dembele’s potential.
More Manchester United News
- Ralf Rangnick could take over Manchester United only on 11 December due to work visa issues
- Real Madrid shut down interest from Manchester United for Vinicius Junior
- Roberto Mancini emerges as a candidate for the Manchester United permanent manager’s role
All in all, there are several uncertainties surrounding the Frenchman’s future. With the January transfer window still a month away, Dembele needs to decide on his Barcelona future before Man United can potentially make him an attractive offer. Where exactly the World Cup winner will continue plying his trade remains to be seen.
