Man Utd, Chelsea ‘perfectly informed’ of Barcelona star’s transfer situation
Manchester United and Chelsea remain interested in Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele, according to reports.
Dembele has struggled to live up to his hefty price tag since joining Barcelona from Borussia Dortmund in 2017. Injuries have certainly not helped his case and he is yet to reach 100 appearances for the club.
However, this season it has been other players suffering injuries, which has given Dembele a chance to prove his worth again.
The Frenchman has two goals and one assist from 12 La Liga appearances this season. He has added a further three goals and two assists from four games in the Champions League.
Despite his upturn in form, doubts remain about his future at Camp Nou. Ronald Koeman was prepared to let him leave in the summer and a move to Man Utd was close.
It eventually fell through, but United have not lost sight of their target. Dembele’s contract is up in 2022, so there could soon be an opportunity to sign him.
If Dembele does not renew his deal, Barca may have to sell him in the summer. So far, even though the player is happy at the club, he is hesitant to accept their new terms.
With that in mind, a tough decision awaits. According to Diario Sport, Man Utd and Chelsea are among the clubs monitoring the situation.
The report claims the Premier League pair are “perfectly informed” of Dembele’s situation – as are Juventus and Bayern Munich.
The idea of Dembele staying at Barcelona has not been ruled out, but with the club’s presidential elections yet to take place, everything is still in question.
It is suggested that United and Chelsea could launch an “attack” to sign Dembele in the coming months. Alternatively, they could wait until he becomes a free agent.
Still only 23, he is one to keep an eye on as his situation progresses. Barca will not allow him to leave this month, but all could change at the end of the season.
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Paul Pogba future still anyone’s guess
One of the driving forces behind United’s interest in Dembele could be his international teammate Paul Pogba.
The midfielder has impressed again for United in recent weeks and should he commit to the club, he may try to lure his fellow Frenchman to Old Trafford.
But Pogba’s future also remains very much in doubt. Just last month, his agent Mino Raiola suggested he was unhappy at the club and would leave in the summer.
Pogba’s form since then may have changed his mood, but like Dembele, there are just 18 months left on his contract. Therefore, a decision will have to be made at the end of the season.
It is not yet clear whether or not United will be able to change Raiola’s mind, with the latest reports claiming the club are not rushing into a decision.