Rijo Sam Daniel
Manchester United put pressure on Ousmane Dembele amidst ongoing contract negotiations with Barcelona
According to the Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo via SportWitness (h/t Manchester Evening News), Manchester United are putting pressure on Ousmane Dembele amidst ongoing contract negotiations with Barcelona. He was recently involved in his team’s defeat at the hand of Real Betis in La Liga.
The 24-year-old has made a fantastic return following his injury and has looked lively for his side. He has not yet started a game as the Blaugrana club is cautious about his recovery process. In the games he has featured in since his return, he brought life into a Barca side that lacked creativity in the final third following the departure of their talisman Lionel Messi.
The Frenchman is waiting to sign an extension with the La Liga club as his current contract will expire at the end of the season. However, the Red Devils have the financial capabilities to get his services while advising against signing a new deal.
According to Sport via Sport Witness (h/t Manchester Evening News), Dembele’s representatives have suggested waiting until the January transfer window before signing a renewal. Man United have met his representatives over a potential transfer in the future.
Do United need Dembele?
With his contract expiring next summer, he could legally engage in conversations with other clubs in the winter transfer window and reach a pre-contract agreement with them. United have to capitalise on that if they are interested in his services.
However, with the forward waiting to sign an extension. convincing him could be challenging. His injury history would be concerning, but those who followed him since his time at Stade Rennes would know his injury plight started only at the Spanish club.
With players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Edinson Cavani, Jadon Sancho, Anthony Martial, Jesse Lingard, Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford in the team, the forward line has enough options. It is tough to see any move without any departures because otherwise, someone will have to suffer for game time.
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However, with Ronaldo and Cavani at the latter stages of their career, we could see Rashford or Greenwood getting shifted to the centre, freeing up space for the France international. With Ralf Rangnick as the interim coach, it remains to be seen whether he would prefer the Barca forward in his side or if he will have any say in potential negotiations, to begin with.
Missing out on him won’t be the worst thing in the world. He is young and highly talented, but so are Sancho and Amad Diallo. We have spent well on the duo, so it wouldn’t be a bad thing giving them a chance and trusting them with increased playing time.
