According to reports, Ousmane Dembele has informed Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez that he wants to quit the club due to interest from Liverpool. Dembele's current contract with the Blaugrana expires in the summer of next year.
Xavi has been warned not to count on the French winger for next season, according to Jota Jordi of El Chiringuito (via HITC). Barcelona has always stated that they are interested in extending Dembele's contract. However, no actual steps have been taken in that direction.
According to the report, Liverpool is one of the frontrunners to recruit the 24-year-old forward. Michael Edwards, the Reds' sporting director, is said to be a fan of Dembele. Before he leaves Anfield next summer, Edwards wants to bring Dembele in on a free transfer. It's good news for Liverpool because Dembele has informed Xavi that he is unlikely to stay with the team. The Reds, though, will have competition for the Barcelona winger, as Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur are also keen.
On the Rio Ferdinand Presents Five YouTube channel, noted writer Fabrizio Romano claims that the Magpies had already approached Dembele about a deal. Newcastle would have the financial advantage over Liverpool if it came down to it.
If Dembele leaves Barcelona in January, the Catalan club will be severely weakened in attack. Martin Braithwaite, Sergio Aguero, and Ansu Fati have all been injured for Xavi's side.
Ousmane Dembele could profit from a move away from Barcelona to Liverpool.
Ousmane Dembele joined Barcelona from Borussia Dortmund in a record-breaking £110 million transfer in the summer of 2017. Dembele was supposed to step in for Neymar, who left Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain, but he has fallen short of expectations.
The Frenchman's stint in Barcelona has been plagued by injuries. In the last four years, he has only made 122 appearances for the club. He has only 30 goals and 21 assists in this time frame. However, the Blaugrana have not been able to regularly use Dembele's extraordinary speed and ambipedal ability. The 24-year-old also appears to be weighed down by his hefty transfer fee. As a result, he might be better off leaving Barcelona and joining Liverpool or Newcastle United for a lower fee.
Jurgen Klopp's team has a well-established and high-performing front three, which would relieve Ousmane Dembele of some of the load. However, his injury history, Liverpool's fierce playing style, and the Premier League's toughness may be too much for him to handle.
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