Manchester United are set to go head-to-head with Juventus for the signature of Ousmane Dembele - reports suggest.
The Barcelona forward is out of contract next summer, which could set up an almighty tussle, with clubs around the continent vying to try and land him.
With the Catalan giants attempting to lower their wage bill in order for the club to fall in line with La Liga rules, getting Dembele's hefty contract off the books help ease the financial burden somewhat.
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The Frenchman arrived in Spain in 2017, carrying a sizable price tag of €105 million after his transfer from Borussia Dortmund.
However, he has since failed to become a first-team regular at the club, often as a result of frustrating injuries.
Dembele has scored 18 goals across four seasons for Barcelona, which is hardly the kind of return the club would have expected from a player who was once viewed as a future great of the game.
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A move away from the pressure cauldron of the Nou Camp could be just what the player needs, and with contract talks reportedly stalling, now could be the perfect opportunity for fresh start elsewhere.
According to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo (via Sport Witness), both Manchester United and Juventus are prepared to pounce if the contractual stalemate continues.
They also indicate that Barca chiefs won't lose their young star without a fight, with club president Joao Laporta having personally spoken to the player in an attempt to get him to stay.
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Whether the talks will make a difference remains to be seen, but with the 24-year-old currently in recovery after picking up another injury while on Euros duty with France, he'll certainly have plenty of time to contemplate where he sees his future.
Dembele will be free to talk to other clubs from January onwards if the two parties cannot agree on a new deal.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Manchester United, Barcelona, Ousmane Dembele, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus