Liverpool and Manchester United could be given a chance to sign Ousmane Dembele after the winger’s agent hit out at Barcelona ’s treatment of his client.
Dembele is out of contract with Barcelona this summer and is yet to agree to an extension with the Spanish giants.
Tensions around the situation have grown in recent days and, according to Sport , will come to a conclusion on Wednesday in crunch talks between the two parties.
The 24-year-old winger joined Barca from Borussia Dortmund in a blockbuster transfer worth £135million in 2017 but his spell at the club has been beset by injuries.
He has been reintegrated into the side under Xavi in the past few months and, despite the difficulties in negotiating a new contract, wants to stay put this year.
However, Liverpool, Manchester United and Juventus will be monitoring the situation closely following explosive comments from Dembele’s agent, Moussa Sissoko.
Sissoko has been riled by Barcelona’s aggressive tactics, which reportedly involved putting a take-it-or-leave-it offer on the table with the threat of six months on the sidelines until his current deal expires if he refuses the terms.
"It's a stroke of pressure that doesn't work with people like us,” Sissoko told French outlet RMC Sport , as translated into English.
“Maybe it can work with agents who are close with Barcelona. It's not my case, I am here to defend the interests of my player.”
Barcelona are working to rebuild their squad under Xavi this month, but are forced to work under tight financial restrictions due to their massive debts.
Xavi wants to keep Dembele, but it is the Frenchman’s wage demands which are causing friction – and which could open the door of other interested parties.
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According to The Sun , both Manchester United and Juventus have been in contact with Dembele’s camp since mid-2021, while El Nacional have linked Liverpool to the winger.
Sport says there are three scenarios which could arise out of Wednesday’s talks: a renewal, a decision to sell this month or a call to let Dembele leave for free in the summer.
“The truth must be told. Yes, we have demanding demands, but we have already shown that Ousmane's career choices are not dictated by money, otherwise he wouldn't be here,” Sissoko continued.
“Then if Barcelona wanted to negotiate, he could have tried to come to the table with us to discuss. Except that there is no discussion and threats no longer work on their side. It's forbidden. We will assert Ousmane Dembele's rights if necessary."
He added: "We don't know what we're going to do. Nothing has been finalized.”
Dembele is yet to score in 10 appearances for Barcelona this season, but has picked up two assists in his past four games.
Overall he has contributed 31 goals and 23 assists in 129 appearances for the Catalan club over the past four and a half years.
