According to Marca, negotiations regarding an extension got underway on Tuesday and have not started well. Both sides will be hopeful of reaching an agreement – but if not, Barcelona will look to cash in this summer, especially considering their dire financial situation.
With plenty of suitors for the 24-year old, and the club grappling with a seemingly unending list of financial complications, many believe Dembele has already played his last game for Barcelona, but according to reports from TV3, that is not the case.
Dembele enjoyed his best season in terms of fitness and output since he joined Barcelona from Borussia Dortmund in 2017. Yet, he has not come anywhere close to repaying the club’s fiscal and sporting faith in him. Clubs like Paris Saint-Germain and Italian giants Juventus are both reportedly gunning for his signature.
Dembele’s contract expires next summer 🔜https://t.co/1KTLrd13Bv
— MARCA in English (@MARCAinENGLISH) June 17, 2021
The catch, as reported previously, was that Dembele would see out his current deal with the Catalans, which ends in 2022, and then leave on a free transfer. From Barcelona’s perspective, that is a nightmare given the amount they have invested in him and the fiscal situation they are in.
Juventus show Man Utd how they could land Barcelona star Dembele on a free transfer
Juventus have reportedly told Barcelona to release winger Ousmane Dembele a year before his contract ends, in a display of how Manchester United could also attempt to prise the Frenchman away from the La Liga giants.
Juventus have offered Ousmane Dembélé a 5-year contract worth €12m-a-season.
The idea is to sign him for free when his Barcelona contract ends in 2022.
(Source: Catalunya Radio) pic.twitter.com/JZWkGg6axN
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) June 15, 2021
United have a winger high on their transfer agenda this summer and Dembele is a target alongside England forward Jadon Sancho.
Boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants a wide man to complete a devastating four-pronged attack alongside Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and either Edinson Cavani, Anthony Martial or Mason Greenwood.
Solskjaer has often used Mason Greenwood on the right of his attack but the teenager is more comfortable through the middle.
Wales international Daniel James has also been deployed in the role but has struggled for consistency during his two years at the club since arriving from Swansea City.
Barcelona look to Coman as Dembele replacement
Barcelona are interested in signing Bayern Munich’s Kingsley Coman as a potential replacement for Ousmane Dembele, reports Le 10 Sport.
Barcelona are interested in signing Bayern Munich’s Kingsley Coman as a potential replacement for Ousmane Dembele, reports Le 10 Sport.
— RumorsTransfersNews24/7 📰 (@rumorstransfers) June 19, 2021
The 25-year-old has enjoyed spells with Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus, but played a big role in Bayern’s Bundesliga title success last season, scoring five and assisting 10 goals in 23 starts. And such form has seen interest in the winger from the Premier League, with both Manchester United and Chelsea also linked with the winger.
Ronald Koeman’s side was previously linked with Coman last summer, but Barcelona president Joan Laporta could soon escalate the France winger to the top of the shortlist as Dembele continues to look likely to leave Camp Nou.
