Liverpool ‘are prepared to spend big to sign Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele’ as a replacement for Sadio Mane.
It’s been a disappointing season for Mane, who has scored just 12 goals in all competitions and only five since the turn of the year as Jurgen Klopp’s side fell out of contention for every trophy.
Reports suggest that Liverpool are considering cashing in on the Senegal international, 29, in the summer despite his contract still having two years to run.
And, according to reports by Fichajes.net in Spain, Dembele is the man being lined up to replace him.
The France international, 23, has just a year remaining on his Barcelona contract but recently admitted that talks over a new deal at the Nou Camp still haven’t started.
Dembele has scored 10 goals this season for Barca but his time there in general hasn’t lived up to the expectations of a player they paid Borussia Dortmund an enormous £122million for.
With Barcelona hit hard financially by the Covid-19 pandemic and seeking to raise cash in order to buy a new striker, they could be tempted to sell Dembele.
And the 2018 World Cup winner has many attributes to suit Klopp’s style of football at Liverpool.
He is fast and skilful, making him a good candidate to take up a wide attacking position in Liverpool’s forward three.
Liverpool are scrambling to qualify for next season’s Champions League, which could be a factor in Dembele’s decision.
The Reds are currently sixth in the Premier League standings but only three points off West Ham in fourth.
The Frenchman also has the option of joining Juventus next summer, with the Serie A giants plotting a move for him in 2022 once his contract has expired.
Barcelona do not want to lose Dembele for nothing and are reportedly set to offer him a new three-year contract.
Speaking about his future earlier this month, Dembele said: ‘I still have a year of contract left. There hasn’t been a discussion with the club yet, I’m happy, and I feel good. Then there is the new president who has arrived and whom I do not know too well, but he is very close to the players. We’ll see how it goes.’
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