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Man Utd step up contacts for Ousmane Dembele

Manchester United have opened talks with the entourage of Barcelona attacker Ousmane Dembele over a deadline day deal, Foot Mercato claims.

The Frenchman has been a long-term target for the Red Devils, and they previously tried to sign him on loan during the summer of 2020.

It is now reported that the Red Devils could be back in the hunt for the 24-year-old, having stepped up contacts with the player’s representatives.

However, they are not favourites to sign him with Paris Saint-Germain already having a verbal agreement with the versatile forward.

Our view:

Barcelona have failed in their attempts to extend Dembele’s deal, and he can leave on a free transfer when his contract expires this summer.

However, they are keen to recoup transfer funds. The club have brought in Adama Traore as a replacement. Dembele could be sold for £18 million.

The Red Devils had plenty of wide attacking options at the start of the month, but the situation has somewhat changed over the past few days.

Anthony Martial and Amad Diallo have been loaned out for the campaign, while Mason Greenwood is suspended indefinitely.

There will be several players offered by different representatives, and it remains to be seen whether United will pursue a new signing.

Dembele has been long admired by the United hierarchy, but it appears too late to convince him with Paris Saint-Germain in pole position now.

Missing out on the Frenchman can’t be seen as much of a loss for United, considering his injury record has been concerning since 2017.

He has missed nearly 700 days of competitive football with multiple muscular and knee injuries. United are better off avoiding him.

On top of the transfer fee, the Frenchman would command a hefty salary of £210,000-per-week which does not seem justifiable with his fitness concerns.

United are still well covered in the wide attacking positions with Anthony Elanga, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho as well as Jesse Lingard.

Bruno Fernandes could also feature out wide in the coming months if Ralf Rangnick resorts to the double-six formation (4-2-2-2) once again.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com.