Transfer News: Liverpool join Ousmane Dembele race

Liverpool have reportedly joined the race for Ousmane Dembele and are now set to compete with Manchester United for the Barcelona winger.

Spanish publication Sport have claimed that Liverpool have entered the race for Ousmane Dembele. The Barcelona winger has been in the news, with papers linking him to Manchester United. However, it seems that the defending Premier League champions have reignited their interest in the French international.

Ousmane Dembele had no intention to leave Barcelona and wished to stay and fight for his place. However, Ronald Koeman does not see him in his plans and the Catalans are also desperate to rake in some revenue from player sales, which has pushed Dembele to accept his fate.

Even then, Barcelona are looking to cash Dembele in at the €60 million mark while Manchester United, who have been rumoured to be in the market for a right winger, are only looking to do a loan deal right now with an embedded option to convert it into a permanent transfer for the said fee.

#MUFC in talks for different players but…
– won’t accept to pay “crazy” wages and agents fee for Edinson Cavani, talks on.
– won’t accept to sign Démbélé on a permanent deal as Barça asked, only loan. Not easy.
– won’t accept to pay €25m for Telles with 8 months contract left. https://t.co/84Wxqh8Bsn

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 3, 2020

Barcelona might have to adjust their demands and go for a temporary deal for now if Liverpool do not come in with a last-minute offer. Jurgen Klopp has plenty of options to choose from in attack, especially after the arrival of Diogo Jota from Wolves. However, Rhian Brewster’s departure combined with the lack of faith in Xherdan Shaqiri has pushed Klopp to look for another addition to the wing department.

For Manchester United, the right side has been a problem for the longest of times and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made it a mission to correct it this season. Jadon Sancho has been the primary target for United, but Dortmund don’t seem to be budging from their €120 million asking price for the Englishman.

Manchester United did offer upto €110 million with achievable bonuses and add-ons. However, it seems that offer has not been received kindly either, with Sancho likely to stay on for another season unless he hands in a late transfer request. Manchester United are looking at Dembele as an alternative, but will have to be wary of his injury-stricken record since his Barcelona transfer.

A loan with an obligation to buy does seem plausible for Manchester United and unless Liverpool swoop in late for Dembele, it looks like Barcelona will be accepting the structure of the deal.