Liverpool’s transfer strategy and the players they have recruited over the last few seasons have been excellent, and they will hope to add some more quality players to their squad ahead of the 2019-20 Premier League season. The Reds have not yet signed a player following the end of the 2018-19 season, but have directed their sights on the signing of a big-name player – Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembélé.
A recent report in L’Equipe states that Liverpool, as well as Bayern Munich, are interested in signing the former Borussia Dortmund star, who only signed with the Spanish club in 2017 for €105 million. But the report further states that the 22-year-old Frenchman is not interested in leaving Barcelona and that the Catalan giants aren’t keen on selling him either.
Dembele’s contract with Barcelona expires in 2022, and it would take a huge bid for Liverpool or Bayern Munich to sign him.
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of signing Dembele:
Pros
Dembele is one of the most promising attacking players in recent times, impressing at a young age at Borussia Dortmund, while also doing well in his second and recent season with Barcelona.
The winger is quick, direct and a skilful dribbler, who can beat any defence on his day and wreak havoc. A strong finisher and crosser, Dembele can contribute with goals as well as assists from the wide areas, on either wing. The 22-year-old has all the qualities to be a world-class star who can single-handedly make a difference on the pitch.
Liverpool currently do not have world-class options in the wide areas apart from Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, and the inclusion of Dembele will only increase the competition in the wide areas and could drive Salah and Mane to perform even better which is indeed a scary prospect for the rest of the league. At 22 years of age, Dembele has at least a decade of high-quality football in him, which would make him a player for the present and the future.
Cons
The biggest issue that has plagued Dembele is his attitude, which has been questioned a few times at Barcelona. Off-field issues have resulted in him receiving criticism from Barcelona players and management which is not something Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp would want in his side, who have been a close-knit bunch.
It also remains to be seen if Dembele will be willing to take a seat on the bench when Salah and Mane are fit; it goes without saying that Salah and Mane will be Liverpool’s first-choice wingers after their exploits over the last two seasons.