Ousmane Dembele could be headed to Old Trafford on a loan deal, with the Barcelona attacker thought to be an alternative to Manchester United’s main target Jadon Sancho.
Sancho has been the Red Devils’ most coveted player this transfer window, but Utd have been stonewalled by Dortmund who have so far an unwillingness to bend in their demands thus far.
Dembele, another former Dortmund product, was a target for the Red Devils last summer but United had one bid rebuffed for the former Dortmund ace, who signed for the club in an initial £97m deal back in 2018.
Since moving to Barcelona however, he has so far failed to live up to expectations, with his stay at the Nou Camp blighted by injuries and some disciplinary issues.
According to Deportes Cuatro, much to the annoyance of new coach Ronald Koeman, the Frenchman arrived at the club’s training complex at 10.15am on Monday morning – 15 minutes later than he was supposed to after Koeman told players to be there one hour early.
He also had his mobile in hand while driving.
Mundo Deportivo journalist Francesc Aguilar claimed United’s chief executive Ed Woodward convinced Dembele to join.
He wrote on Twitter: “Ed Woodward was the one who contacted Ousmane Dembélé’s environment and with Barca.
“They had been trying to convince Dembele for a long time. In the end, they have succeeded.”
Dembele made just five league appearances last season after undergoing an operation on a hamstring injury.