According to AS, Barcelona have set a staggering asking fee of €105 million for Liverpool target Ousmane Dembele. The Frenchman emerged as the latest target for the Reds, as they could potentially prepare for life without Mohamed Salah sooner rather than later. As a result, they have set their sights on the Barcelona superstar.
The Mirror reports that Liverpool are currently contemplating making an opening bid for Dembele, who could be an excellent alternative to Nicolas Pepe.
Dembele’s disappointing spell at Barcelona
Dembele initially moved to Barcelona in the summer of 2017 in a whopping €125 million move from Borussia Dortmund. He became the most expensive teenager in the history of football during that time. But, the Frenchman never really managed to make a deep impact in the Barcelona first-team.
His debut campaign with the club was marred by a hamstring injury that kept him out for over 100 days. He ended up featuring in only 930 minutes of league football during that corresponding campaign.
Dembele’s struggles with injuries continued in the following season, with the recurring hamstring problems during the final phase of the campaign minimising his game-time to just 1,669 minutes of league football. However, he has shown glimpses of his brilliance when given the opportunity, notably being involved in 35 goals in 65 matches.
What can Dembele bring to the table?
Dembele is known for his pace and dribbling prowess, coupled with his exquisite control over the ball that lets him act as the ball carrier in the final third. He can easily manipulate the opposition defender with his silky footwork and clever drop of the shoulders. The Frenchman averaged a whopping 3.2 successful dribbles per game during his breakout season at Dortmund.
Aside from that, Dembele is also a lethal finisher, who can cut inside and curl the ball into the back of the net. He has a vicious right foot. But he is equally productive with his left foot as well – giving him a considerable advantage, especially when transitioning from wider positions as he can either can cut inside or move forward to the byline.
Should Liverpool make a move for Dembele?
Dembele will be a risky option for Liverpool given his poor injury record at Barcelona. He also has a bad temper and lacks discipline, which is vital for any player to thrive under the management for Jurgen Klopp.
Furthermore, the Frenchman is not the most physically astute attackers, meaning he could potentially struggle to cope with the fast-paced nature of the Premier League. And for a fee of €105 million, Dembele is no less than a gamble for Liverpool.
Hence, the Reds should shift their attention towards a more well-established and experienced alternative in their bid to replace Salah in the near future. Someone like Leroy Sane, for example, could be an attractive option for the Merseyside giants.
