Juventus and Manchester United monitor Ousmane Dembele as Barcelona president Joan Laporta admits talks to extend the winger’s contract are ‘slower than the club want.’
The Frenchman sees his contract expire at the end of the season and according to several reports in Spain, he is not willing to sign a new deal with the La Liga giants.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta provided an update on the player’s future while talking to the media today.
“Dembélé’s renewal is going slower than we wanted,” he said as quoted by Cope.
“We’re still working on it, we want Ousmane to stay, he could be a key player if we’ll reach an agreement.”
🔵🔴@JoanLaportaFCB sobre la renovación de Dembélé
🎤”Un proceso más lento del deseado por nuestra parte”
🎤”Estamos en ello, seguimos con las espadas en alto”
🎤”Para nosotros es muy importante, puede ser un jugador de referencia si conseguimos que continúe”
📻@COPE#FCBlive pic.twitter.com/ohZxigq806
— Víctor Navarro (@victor_nahe) December 2, 2021
Manchester United seem to be in pole position to sign the 24-year-old who has been struggling with injuries playing just three games across all competitions this season.
The Red Devils came close to signing the Frenchman on loan with an obligation to buy in 2020. Juventus are also monitoring the situation at the Nou Camp with Dembele who could sign a pre-contract agreement with any club from January.
Xavi sends message to Juventus and Man United over Dembele transfer
However, new Barcelona coach Xavi counts on the former Borussia Dortmund star and has claimed his contract extension should be a priority for the Catalans.
Dembele joined Barcelona for a club-record €135m fee in 2017.
Juve will probably sign him on a free transfer and say they paid 320m Euros for him
Why would Barcelona want to keep him and why would anybody be daft enough to sign him? He is almost permanently injured.
Juventus will give him a 5 year contract worth £12m per season and he can hang out with the Welsh boy.
Juve don’t want this kind of permanent injury