Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur

Premier League • England

Interest in La Liga star ‘piling up’ as Tottenham join hunt, but Newcastle suffer blow

Tottenham director of football Fabio Paratici watching his side from the touchline

Tottenham have reportedly joined the growing number of clubs looking at a transfer for Ousmane Dembele, but Newcastle will struggle to get in on the action.

Dembele is one of several high-profile players across Europe who have entered the final year of their deals. Crucially, though, the Frenchman – alongside the likes of compatriots Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe – have yet to resolve their futures.

For Dembele’s part, he has long been in discussions about extending his contract in Barcelona. Indeed, injuries have meant he has yet to really prove himself since his big-money move from Borussia Dortmund.

However, Barca’s crippling financial situation makes the salary the sticking point in negotiations. Dembele wants a pay rise, but his club want to decrease his wage.

Amid the disagreement, a host of clubs have had transfer links with a move for the 24-year-old.

TEAMtalk understands that Liverpool have interest. Manchester United are also supposedly keen, while Newcastle’s new owners have also been linked with a swoop.

According to 90min, though, Tottenham – led by transfer chief Fabio Paratici – and Manchester City have now joined the hunt.

All of the Premier League clubs would be able to offer Dembele the pay rise he wants. As such, the report notes that the English top flight is emerging as a likely next destination.

Barcelona consider offering Ousmane Dembele to Manchester City in swap deal

Barcelona consider offering Ousmane Dembele to Manchester City in swap deal

Barcelona are reportedly consider offering Ousmane Dembele to Manchester City return for Raheem Sterling, with more news on Donny van de Beek and Dusan Vlahovic.

While Newcastle have interest in Dembele, though, 90min reports that they cannot yet properly join the race.

That is because they do not have a long-term manager or a sporting director in place, roles seen as vital in their project under their new owners.

That claim comes in contrast to previous reports, which have said that Newcastle are prepared to offer Dembele a contract worth €15million (£12.6million) per season.

Dembele working on injury recovery

Ousmane Dembele dribbling

Such has been the pattern of his Barcelona career so far, Dembele is currently recovering from injury.

The forward required knee surgery after limping out of Euro 2020.

Speaking recently, Barca boss Ronald Koeman said: “He’s working very well of late. He’s still got a bit of time out, there are things that have to improve for him to be with the group completely.

“It’s hard to set deadlines, we’ll see how he is in the coming days.”

Dembele has scored 30 goals and assisted 21 others in 130 Barcelona outings.


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