It has been known Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is on a shopping mode and the latest talent on his list if reports are to be believed, is Moussa Dembele, striker for Olympique Lyonnais. Supposedly, talks are now ongoing between the involved parties and if a deal is finalized Dembele will join the Red Devils in January.
Journalist Duncan Castles has made claims that United and Lyon officials have been negotiating on an agreement that will pave the way for Dembele's jump to Old Trafford. The deal is expected to be finalized in time for the winter transfer window.
"There has been contact between Manchester United and individuals close to Moussa Dembele to assess the player's interest in the move and to work out what the cost would be in terms of salary," Be In Sports reported Castles as saying.
The striker has been shortlisted and purportedly "identified by United as a player who could be a top-level center-forward down the line," the report added.
Castles further stated that a move to United will be a risky move on the part of Dembele, but the latter seemed resolved for a change of setting.
"I believe, he would take the risk of moving in the January window. He would be prepared to take that risk for United," the journalist shared.
In a related report, Fox Sports suggested that Dembele views the United transfer as a big career move that will define his future.
"The interest from Dembele's side in moving to the Premier League is large, he sees that as a place he will play further down his career ... Were Manchester United to select Dembele as a target for the January window, he would be receptive to that move," according to the report.
Indeed, the Lyon striker becoming part of the Red Devils will not be rushed. Apparently, United is more inclined to push through with the transfer of Dembele in January 2020. The club seems hoping that by that time, there will be more flexibility on the striker's asking price, Metro reported.
In August 2018, Dembele made the hop from Celtic that saw Lyon paying a whopping £19.7 million for the deal. It was worth the money for the destination club as the striker kicked in 26 goals in 56 appearances.
Metro said if United is really interested in acquiring Dembele, the price to pay is around £71 million, the same deal dangles before Juventus, which supposedly is equally interested in purchasing the striker.
