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Barcelona Believe Player Has Opened Talks With Liverpool And Manchester United 'Behind Their Back'

Barcelona Believe Player Has Opened Talks With Liverpool And Manchester United 'Behind Their Back'

Forward's contract expires at the end of the season but the club thought they already had a verbal agreement with the France forward.

Barcelona think that Ousmane Dembele's agent has held talks with two Premier League clubs, despite having a deal in principle with the player.

Dembele hasn't been a huge success since becoming Neymar's replacement in 2016, signing from Borussia Dortmund for around £135 million.

The forward's has suffered from a lack of form and injuries, the latest of which remains from Euro 2020, and his contract is set to expire at the end of the season.

According to previous reports, the club believe they have agreed a new deal in principle with the 24-year-old, but he is yet to sign that contract.

If he still hasn't signed on the bottom line by January then he can start negotiating with other clubs but, according to Cuatro, Barca think that's already happening.

The Spanish outlet report that the club think that Dembele's agent has already spoken to Liverpool and Manchester United behind the scenes.

Dembele has had a frustrating time at Barcelona. Image: PA Images
Dembele has had a frustrating time at Barcelona. Image: PA Images

According to the report, the agent has also spoken to Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus about the possibility of Dembele moving to their clubs in the summer.

Both the Premier League clubs named have been linked with the former Rennes player in the past, and he's also been linked with their rival Manchester City.

United were originally linked with the France forward in summer 2020 as a potential alternative for Jadon Sancho, when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team initially missed out on the England player.

They have since signed the 21-year-old, and also Cristiano Ronaldo, to boost their striking options, but Dembele is being touted as a potential replacement for Anthony Martial, who is being linked with a move away from the club.

The Barcelona forward was also being named as a potential swap option for City, with Barca eyeing up a move for Raheem Sterling in January.

Sterling hasn't been playing for City much this season and has been linked with Barcelona. Image: PA Images
Sterling hasn't been playing for City much this season and has been linked with Barcelona. Image: PA Images

As well as the top clubs in the report, some people have been linking Dembele with a possible move to Newcastle United since the Saudi Arabia PIF takeover at the club.

The France forward is one of a ludicrous amount of players linked with the north east club in the past week alone, from Aaron Ramsey to James Tarkowski.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Transfers, Premier League, Manchester United, Liverpool