Amid the talks of his possible transfer to Manchester United in the next few days, Ousmane Dembele is said to be interested in the switch, reversing on his earlier preference to stay with Barcelona for one more season. The move from Camp Nou to Old Trafford could be completed before the close of the summer transfer window.
The side of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is looking to sign the French winger on a deal that reports said will be a one-year loan with an option to buy next summer. But the move remains iffy as the two clubs have yet to fully agree on the mode of the transfer.
It is understood the Spanish giants are favoring a permanent deal and on Dembele's part, he is not exactly excited to make the jump so soon. The 23-year-old is looking to join Barcelona's campaign, at least for one more season.
That stance, however, seemed to have changed. When Dembele learned that his club is willing to negotiate for his sale to a new side, the player changed his position. Metro said the World Cup winner is now open on a possible jump to the Premier League, which could be finalized over the next few days.
The deal is seen to move forward as the Barcelona side will want to offload Dembele in order to fund the remaining acquisitions planned for the summer. Barca boss Ronald Koeman is said to be making a bid on Lyon striker Memphis Depay using the cash to be generated by the business with United.
Also, Koeman is planning to make a swoop on Manchester City defender Eric Garcia, and these signings are pushing him to accelerate the selling of Dembele.
The manager has earlier indicated that Dembele's fate will depend on what is best for the club and how the player will do during training and in actual games. Koeman allowed that the Frenchman could join a new side anytime but for now, he is part of the Barca squad.
The coach said without a transfer deal, he is counting on Dembele and will be played on the pitch when he is fit and the situation calls for it.
But Dembele sitting on the bench during Barcelona's winning game at Celta again fired up speculations that the winger is on his way out. Koeman said Dembele's absence in the match was decided on "tactical reasons."
According to Goal, Koeman felt the clash with Celta required a more solid defensive from Barcelona, which is not the position played by Dembele. And that should explain why the Frenchman was given playing minutes during the game.
In any case, United seemed bent on bringing Dembele to England, and the move is seen as the club's alternative if the club fails to convince Borussia Dortmund to release Jadon Sancho this summer.
