Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele has reportedly agreed personal terms with Manchester United on deadline day.
According to a report by Duncan Castles, Ousmane Dembele, who has been the subject of interest from Manchester United, has finally agreed to the switch and could move to England on the deadline day. The Premier League heavyweights approached Barcelona over the possibility of signing the 23-year-old, who is likely to be their stop-gap for Jadon Sancho.
Throughout the summer transfer window, the big talking point pertaining to Manchester United has been the Jadon Sancho saga. That the English international is a target for the Red Devils is, by now, an open secret. However, for a long time, United and Borussia Dortmund have been at an impasse due to differences over the valuation of the player.
With less than a week remaining for the window to slam shut, Manchester United contacted Barcelona for Dembele in the hope of bolstering their attack. The Frenchman, however, having just recovered from a long-term injury did not agree to this move, which stretched this deal as well.
Another reason this deal took so long to come to an end was because the two clubs in question were in negotiations over the type of contract they wanted to pursue. Barcelona needed the Frenchman to leave on a permanent deal in order to raise more money in player sales, which would then help their pursuit of Memphis Depay.
On the contrary, however, Mohamed Bouhafsi of RMC Sport has reported that Dembele has decided to stay at Barcelona, snubbing all possible negotiations with Manchester United for both a temporary or a permanent transfer.
(?) BREAKING: Ousmane Dembele will NOT be moving to Manchester United. He is focused on his season with Barcelona. @mohamedbouhafsi #DeadlineDay ?? pic.twitter.com/PeGXCxlq7j
— Hagrid ✆ (@HagridFCB) October 5, 2020
While Barcelona desperately need a striker, as was apparent in their 1-1 draw against Sevilla, Depay may not be the answer to their problems. And letting Dembele leave might only add to their troubles. He is the only other player within the squad, apart from Ansu Fati, who can make quick runs with or without the ball. Additionally, his ambidextrous nature allows him to function on both wings, adding to his unpredictability.
While these are all qualities Manchester United could do with as well, this is a high risk – high reward scenario. When fit, the World Cup winner is inarguably a stellar performer. Still, given his injury record, it could cost the 20-time Premier League winners, leaving them without a player in that position, consequently bringing them to square one.
