Ousmane Dembele’s representatives have spoken with Manchester United and Chelsea over a potential January transfer for the out-of-favour Barcelona winger, according to reports in Spain.
The 24-year-old Frenchman is out of contract with Barcelona in the summer and is reportedly demanding a hefty increase to his salary as part of a new deal.
Barcelona sporting director Mateu Alemany slammed Dembele’s refusal to sign a new contract and informed the winger he would be sold in the January window.
The France international staunchly defended himself against Alemany’s claims and insisted that he would not be “giving in to any kind of blackmail.”
The La Liga club are prepared to allow Dembele to leave for £18m in January, but clubs will need to match the player’s £210,000-a-week wages.
Spanish newspaper Sport reports that Dembele’s team have held discussions with both United and Chelsea over a potential transfer.
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It is believed Chelsea and United are interested in the 2018 World Cup winner, with Barcelona manager Xavi now considering Dembele to be surplus to his requirements.
Dembele previously worked with Thomas Tuchel at Borussia Dortmund, with the Chelsea boss responsible for signing him from Rennes in a £31.5m deal in 2016.
The France winger thrived under Tuchel’s tutelage and scored 10 times and registered 22 assists in 50 appearances for Dortmund.
Following the sacking of Tuchel in 2017, Dembele made his stunning exit from Dortmund after a single season in Germany’s top-flight domestic league.
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Barcelona splashed out on a deal worth up to £135.5m to sign Dembele from Dortmund after Neymar’s world-record £200m transfer to Paris Saint-Germain.
Ralf Rangnick is also believed to be an admirer of Dembele, as the United interim manager tried to sign him in 2016 when he was RB Salzburg’s director of football.
Barcelona are hopeful of offloading Dembele, who has also been linked with PSG, from their wage books before the transfer window closes on Monday.
Topics: Ousmane Dembele, Premier League, England, Manchester United, Chelsea, Football, Barcelona, Spain, La Liga
Adnan Riaz