Liverpool are reportedly among a host of top European clubs monitoring the situation of Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele.
Ousmane Dembele, 24, has entered the final year of his contract at Barcelona, meaning if he still hasn’t penned fresher terms by January then he can start negotiating with clubs outside Spain. The Frenchman’s agent has held talks with many top clubs to discuss his possible arrival on a free transfer next summer.
According to TEAMtalk (h/t Mundo Deportivo), Liverpool are closely following Ousmane Dembele with manager Jurgen Klopp fond of the player, and feels he could bolster his attacking options in the immediate future. The report adds Klopp has requested the 24-year-old winger’s signing.
Dembele has failed to live up to his potential since signing as Neymar’s replacement at Barcelona in the summer of 2017 from Borussia Dortmund for around £135 million. The France international’s career at Camp Nou has been plagued by injuries and lack of consistency, the latest of which happened in the summer’s European Championships.
In what will be an injury boost to Ronald Koeman and co., Dembele returned to the training ground on Monday and worked out with the rest of the squad for the first time after undergoing knee surgery in July.
Ousmane Dembele to Liverpool – Should Jürgen Klopp take a punt on the winger?
Liverpool have one of the best attacks in Europe and with Sadio Mane and Diogo Jota showing signs of getting back their mojo and Mohamed Salah already breathing fire, one wouldn’t easily bet against Jurgen Klopp’s side to win the Premier League title.
However, reclaiming the league title from Manchester City won’t be an easy job. Despite failing to sign a centre-forward as a replacement for Sergio Aguero, Manchester City have unbelievable quality and strength in squad depth. If Liverpool are to go toe-to-toe with City, and also Chelsea this term, Jurgen Klopp must beef up his squad.
In the wake of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane leaving for the AFCON in January, one area the German tactician must prioritise bolstering during the winter transfer window is his attack. In that regard, Ousmane Dembele would be a good fit at Anfield.
Despite suffering injury problems in recent years, Dembele, when fit and firing, is difficult to contain for any opposition defences. The Frenchman is known for his pace, technique, dribbling skills directness as well as the ability to glide past players in a blink of an eye.
The ex-Dortmund man is extremely dangerous in 1v1 situations and him being equally comfortable with the ball at both feet makes it tricky to defend. He can combine searing pace with superb dribbling ability on the ball, link up with fellow forwards and create goal-scoring opportunities.
Dembele’s injury record will always be a concern but at only 24, he still has a long way to go in his career. Plus, the French winger’s potential free agency next summer makes him an appealing target for a host of European clubs including Liverpool.
Therefore, the Reds must not hesitate to take a gamble on the Barcelona star.