Manchester United have made an offer to sign Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele, according to El Chiringuito journalist Darío Montero (via Sport Witness). 

The lowdown: Big-money player

Signed from Borussia Dortmund in 2017 for what was then second-biggest transfer fee in world football (£135.5m, as per BBC), Dembele has struggled to recapture his best form in Catalunya.

Despite directly contributing to 64 goals in 147 outings for the Spanish giants, the 24-year-old has also missed 96 matches through a variety of injury issues since arriving at Camp Nou.

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With Dembele set to become a free agent at the end of the season (Transfermarkt), a fresh update has emerged from Spain...

The latest: Offer made for Dembele

As per Montero, as translated by Sport Witness, the Red Devils and Paris Saint-Germain are both keen on signing the 2018 World Cup winner.

It is claimed that United are 'offering' Dembele a salary between €10m and €15m (£8.4m-£12.6m) per year.

Hailed as an 'exceptional player' by team-mate Dani Alves upon the Brazilian right-back's return to the La Liga club, the 27-cap forward could yet remain at Barcelona should Xavi and the club act quickly.

The verdict: Worth the risk

It is an undoubted gamble to pay such high wages to a player who is so prone to injury, but without the expenditure of a transfer fee, the signing of Dembele has the potential to be a masterstroke for United if they can pull it off.

So far this season, the versatile forward has scored twice and provided 11 assists in 29 appearances across all competitions, highlighting his wizardry with a league-high 2.8 successful dribbles completed per match whilst earning the second-highest overall rating in La Liga with 7.61 (Sofascore).

Considering that the Spanish top flight is Europe's second-highest ranked league in UEFA's association club coefficient, it is no mean feat to be a performance leader at that level of football.

Incoming United manager Erik ten Hag will have to choose between Jadon Sancho, Anthony Elanga and Marcus Rashford for the wide attacking berths at present, leaving ample room for a player of Dembele's proven quality.

In other news: Red Devils in pole position to sign Premier League star…find out more here