Ousmane Dembele’s agent has made contact with Newcastle United, according to Spanish outlet Sport.
The lowdown
The 24-year-old’s contract is up at the end of this season, raising the prospect of him leaving the Camp Nou on a free transfer.
A £121.5m signing from Borussia Dortmund, Dembele has been involved in 51 goals in his 118 appearances for the Catalan giants. He has also netted nine times in his 31 career outings in the Champions League.
He is yet to play this season, having picked up a hamstring injury during the summer’s European Championship, where he played in two matches for France, but he is now on the verge of fitness.
The latest
The report from Sport explained that Barcelona must choose between sidelining Dembele in a bid to force him into a signing new contract, a tactic they tried with Ilaix Moriba, or reintegrate him ‘given the needs of the team in attack’.
Barcelona are aware that choosing the latter option could weaken their hand, paving the way for Dembele to sign a pre-contract agreement from 1 January.
The Catalan giants have learned that his camp have initiated talks with Newcastle as well as Serie A side Juventus. At the same time, his agent is ‘turning deaf ears’ to Barcelona’s attempts to initiate dialogue over his contract.
The verdict
Dembele would be a blockbuster addition at St James’ Park, the kind of signing which would symbolise the beginning of a Newcastle revolution. Any additions in January may be more low-key, geared towards ensuring Premier League survival.
Even on a free transfer, though, it would be a risky deal. Above all else, his injury history makes for worrying reading, and ability isn’t much use without availability. There are also instances of off-field misdemeanours to consider before investing in a talented yet seemingly enigmatic player.
In other news, Newcastle have been linked with this Premier League ace
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