Manchester United ‘STILL want to sign Ousmane Dembele’ despite Barcelona pulling the plug on a loan deal last year… with Red Devils weighing up whether to offer cash this summer or wait until the winger becomes a free agent in 2022
Manchester United will make a second attempt to sign Barcelona star Ousmane Dembele – either this summer or next – according to Spanish newspaper Sport.
The Red Devils thought they had agreed a deal to land the winger on loan last year, only for Barca to pull out when Dembele refused to sign a new one-year contract.
However, the France international has impressed at the Nou Camp this season and United have not given up hope of luring him to Old Trafford.
Manchester United are reportedly still interested in signing Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembele
Sport claim that the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s interest in Dembele has increased over the last six months and that United are weighing up how to approach a deal.
The Premier League giants could reportedly offer Barcelona a cash fee for the former Borussia Dortmund star this summer as his contract continues to tick down.
Dembele’s current deal expires at the end of next season, with Barca officials said to have made an extension a ‘priority move’ following his resurgence this season.
United, however, are also exploring the option of signing the 23-year-old on a free transfer in the summer of 2022, should he fail to put pen to paper on a new contract.
Sport say that United have remained in touch with Dembele’s representatives and have made them aware that they are interested in bringing him to Manchester.
The ex-Rennes starlet could expect a hefty signing-on fee from United should he choose to see out his deal with Barcelona and leave for nothing.
Dembele has been plagued with injury problems since making his move to Spain in 2017 for an initial fee of £96million, with another £35m in potential add-ons.
However, he is enjoying a fine campaign under manager Ronald Koeman and Barca want to tie him down to a new deal to avoid losing him for nothing.
Mundo Deportivo claim that a contract extension is a ‘priority’ for new president Joan Laporta, although Sport report that Dembele’s salary demands could be an issue as the Catalan giants look to cut costs.
Should they fail to agree fresh terms with the France forward by the summer, Barca are likely to cash in on him – potentially opening the door for United to swoop.
