Ousmane Dembele, who is out of contract with Barcelona and has been linked with a free transfer to Liverpool and Chelsea, will decide his future in the next 72 hours, according to reports.
Recent reports suggested the France international was on the verge of agreeing to stay with Barcelona, but the Catalonian side’s financial problems make nothing certain in that regard.
If he doesn’t sign a new deal by tomorrow evening, he’ll officially be a free agent. According to The Mirror, all will be clear very soon.
Barcelona will be hoping to keep hold of the 25-year-old with key target Raphinha set to join Chelsea in the coming days.
The Brazilian’s impending move to West London would suggest a switch to Chelsea is unlikely for Dembele.
However, Barça could still face fierce competition from Liverpool.
The Reds are facing up to the prospect that they could be without talisman Mo Salah next season, and are still licking their wounds after Sadio Mané’s departure.
Salah is struggling to find a compromise with Liverpool over his contractural issues, with the Anfield club reluctant to meet his hefty wage demands.
Despite not being quite so prolific in front of goal thus far in his career, Dembele would be something of an ideal replacement for Salah.
Another left-footed right-winger who causes defenders all sorts of problems would be exactly what Jürgen Klopp would be seeking to bring in if he were to lose the Egyptian.
That said, Dembele is not the only player on Liverpool’s shortlist, and if he isn’t viewed as a priority, a deal likely won’t formalise.
This is due to issues presented by time scale. Liverpool would have to present a contract offer to Dembele in the coming days, and if they are still mulling over whether they really want him, the Frenchman will probably end up signing a new deal elsewhere.
Liverpool find themselves on red alert regarding Dembele. Chelsea’s decision to pursue a deal for Raphinha over him opens the path for the Reds, but it could also indicate Dembele has decided to stay at Barcelona.
Time will tell.
Featured Image Credit: Alamy
Topics: Ousmane Dembele, Liverpool, Liverpool Transfer News & Rumours
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