Liverpool have entered the race for Barcelona forward Ousmane Dembele who has just six months remaining on his contract at Camp Nou. Dembele has been strongly linked with Camp Nou move this month as big European clubs can now contact the player without informing Barcelona. Manchester United, Newcastle United, and Bayern Munich are looking to lure a player away from financially-stretched Barcelona with a huge contract offer.
The 24-year-old French forward has struggled for fitness and form with Catalan giants since his arrival from Borussia Dortmund in 2018. This season player has suffered a foot injury and has made just 9 overall appearances with no goal so far. Barcelona are still willing to believe in the player’s potential and have offered a new contract but the player is stalling the Spanis giants for better wages.
Barcelona are struggling this season with La Liga title hopes are already over with 17 points difference to leaders Real Madrid. They are also out of the Champions League after getting knocked out by Bayern Munich in lats fixture of group stages. Barcelona are now set to feature in the Europa League for the first time in 20 years. The Catalan giants are in contention for the top-four league finish this season and that will be the only priority for manager Xavi.
Liverpool Want Dembele Next Summer:
According to a report from Mundo Deportivo, Liverpool are looking to add Dembele to their aging attack. Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, and Roberto Firmino are dominating European football with a label of ‘best attacking trio’ since the arrival of Salah at Anfield. But all three forwards will be 30 of age in the upcoming transfer and their contracts are expiring in the next 18 months. It is to believe that Jurgen Klopp is planning to sell either Firmino or Mane in the upcoming summer and looking to add a big-name replacement.
The Reds are also keeping an eye on Barcelona youngster Gavi and are willing to trigger his release clause of £41.7 million. Barcelona are struggling financially this season their situation has gotten worsen with a £45 million signing of Ferran Torres. They have offloaded Philippe Coutinho on loan to Aston Villa already and extended Samuel Umtiti’s contract with a significant wage reduction last week.
Dembele is not ready to accept any reduction in his current wages and the player’s agent Moussa Sissoko has ruled out the rumors on players demanding crazy money to extend his contract.
“Often when we talk about renewals, we talk about money, but it is not only about that. It is also the management of their day-to-day lives. – Dembele’s agent on player’s contract situation.
Barcelona have a good contract offer on the table for Dembele but the French star is reportedly demanding an unbelievable £700,000 per week wages to stay at Camp Nou. Xavi is looking to freeze the player from the first team if doesn’t decide his future this month. Barcelona are looking to cough up some money from his sale this month instead of losing him free in the summer.