Ousmane Dembele is now having doubts over staying at Barcelona as the Spanish side have begun discussions with Manchester United over a possible transfer move, according to reports.
The Red devils have made an approach to Barcelona in an attempt to sign Dembele on loan for the rest of the campaign.
The 23-year-old is seen by United as an alternative to Jadon Sancho, who looks set to stay at Dortmund as the Bundesliga club are refusing to lower their £109.6m asking price.
According to reports in Spain last week, Dembele was interested in staying at Barcelona for at least another campaign, despite the strong interest from United and Liverpool.
But according to RAC1, Dembele is now reconsidering his future at the club after Barcelona’s willingness to enter negotiations with the Premier League club over a possible deal.
The report claims that United want to sign Dembele on loan with an option to sign permanently next summer. But, Barcelona’s preference is to sell the Frenchman in order to fund moves for Memphis Depay and Eric Garcia.
Speaking earlier this week, Barcelona head coach Ronald Koeman did not rule out the possibility of Dembele leaving before the summer window closes.
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‘The first thing to say is that it is up to the club and to the player,’ he said.
‘But he is with us and as we’ve seen in recent weeks I am counting on him….he has to wait to play but he is training well, getting fitter. ‘I want to say that I am counting on him.’
Dembele has been affected by injuries since he moved to the Nou Camp from Borussia Dortmund in a £135.5m deal in 2017. The 23-year-old played only nine matches last campaign and reports claimed earlier this summer that Barca are ready to sell the winger for a £92m transfer fee.
Dembele came of the bench in the second half of Barcelona’s opening league game of the season on Sunday as they sealed a 4-0 victory over Villarreal.
