Man Utd could capitalise as Dembele handed Barcelona contract ‘ultimatum’

The French forward is out of contract at the end of the season and has been mentioned in connection with a possible Premier League switch on a number of occasions

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Long-time Manchester United target Ousmane Dembele could leave Barcelona next summer, with the forward’s contract due to expire at the end of the current season.

The 24-year-old has struggled with injuries during his time at Camp Nou, and as things stand he will be free to speak to other clubs in January with United among those linked with the player.

According to reports from Spain, though, Barca are desperate for things not to get that far, and are keen to make progress on the future of a man who manager Xavi has said “can be the best player in the world”.

The Catalan club have reportedly issued an ultimatum to Dembele, as they face the prospect of losing a former club record signing for nothing.

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Dembele has played fewer than 100 La Liga games since joining Barcelona from Borussia Dortmund for £97m in 2017.

He missed France’s elimination from Euro 2020 after picking up an injury in the group stage draw with Hungary, and has only just returned to action, making three substitute appearances under new manager Xavi.

Man Utd aren’t the only Premier League side mentioned in connection with the former Rennes man, with Newcastle United reportedly making “an astronomical proposal” to the player.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona have issued Dembele a 15-day ultimatum to agree new terms.

Such a deadline would allow Barca to prepare for the player’s departure, potentially receiving a fee for the Frenchman in January rather than losing him for nothing a few months later.

However, while no agreement has been reached, club president Joan Laporta remains optimistic.

“It is being a slower process than desired on our part,” Laporta is quoted as saying by Cope (as translated by Barca Blaugranes ).

“Dembele is a very important player. He can give much more to Barca than he has given [and] if he continues with us he can become a benchmark player.”

Dembele is said to have told teammates he is keen to prolong his stay at Camp Nou, but the club previously suggested they would not be held to ransom over a new deal.

By the time the 15-day deadline passes, Dembele and Barcelona will know whether the club has made it into the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Xavi’s side travel to unbeaten Bayern Munich in their final group game in the knowledge that failure to win at the Allianz Arena could see Benfica overtake them and claim second place in the group.

“There is going to be a miracle, I am convinced that we are going to win,” Laporta said in November, despite the Bundesliga champions having won all five of their group games, including a 3-0 win at Camp Nou.