According to the Sun, Ousmane Dembele has started talks with Manchester United and could leave FC Barcelona in the summer if his modest release clause is exercised.
The Red Devils have rekindled their interest in the French winger amid the high possibility of his departure. Dembele was on track to leave a year ago when he declined to sign a contract extension.
But, Xavi Hernandez decided to take the Qatar 2022 finalist under his wing rather than pushing him to the bench for the remainder of the 2021/2022 season.
The former midfielder, who is now the head coach of the Blaugrana, continued to demand excellence from his player and oversaw his growth to become one of Europe’s top assist producers with a goal-scoring threat to match.
Xavi’s influence helped Dembele agree to new terms that keep him committed until 2024, but there is also a 2023-only release option that can be exercised for a pitiful €50 million ($53.6 million) at the end of the current campaign.
Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain and United have already started speaking with the 26-year-agent old’s Moussa Sissoko.
The Red Devils will face tough competition from these clubs and they need to make sure that they come up with a lucrative deal this summer.
Erik ten Hag has a host of options in attack but he still needs to deal with the growing injury concerns among his players. The club is already looking to sign a new striker this summer and let Anthony Martial leave.
