In a recent report, Sport has mentioned that Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele is on Manchester United’s radar this summer. It is understood that Dembele’s current deal is set to expire at the end of next season which could open the door for the Red Devils to secure his services during the summer transfer period (via Sport).
Dembele’s Up And Down Season At The Nou Camp
It has been a season of mixed emotions for Dembele as he has managed to secure game time but has been guilty of being a bit inconsistent in terms of his end-product in the final third. The French speedster has banged in nine goals and earned four assists in 35 matches for the Catalan outfit this term across all competitions.
The 23-year-old has managed to give a good account of himself by averaging 1.8 shots, 1.3 key passes and 2.0 dribbles per game in La Liga. Dembele has raised his game in Europe where he has averaged 3.5 shots, 1.2 key passes and 2.7 dribbles per game in the UEFA Champions League this season. He has even been excellent when linking up play with others around him after making 85.4% of his attempted passes in league football (stats via whoscored).
Dembele has finally begun to show why Barca decided to sign him from Borussia Dortmund back in 2017. Hence, losing the Frenchman this summer would be bitter pill to swallow for Ronald Koeman who is slowly starting to get the best out of the talented winger.
What Are The French Wing Wizard’s Strengths And Weaknesses?
Dembele has electric pace which he can use to get the better of his marker in the attacking third. He excels at dribbling with the ball towards the byline and can deliver some inviting crosses into the opponent’s penalty area.
The French sensation can also score goals consistently when he is playing with confidence on the pitch. However, multiple injuries have hampered his progress at the Nou Camp in recent seasons, so maybe letting him go would be a difficult yet correct choice for Barca, considering he has got just over a year left to run in his contract.
Should Barca Cash In On Dembele This Summer?
At the moment, Koeman should think about getting the best out of Dembele for the remainder of this campaign before deciding whether to tie him down to a new deal or let him leave for a cut-price fee this summer. At 23, Dembele’s value would only go up as long as he can stay healthy, so Barca should consider keeping him for the long-run. However, if they fail to agree on a new contract, then Koeman would have no choice but to sanction the Frenchman’s exit in this off-season.
