Liverpool ‘have contacted Ousmane Dembele’s representatives over a move’

Liverpool have entered the race to sign French forward Ousmane Dembele on a free transfer from Barcelona next month, it has been reported in Spain. 

Dembele, who has been stalling over a new Barcelona deal all season, is said to be talking to a number of clubs as the clock ticks down on his time to make a decision. 

The French international is believed to have pricked the interest of Liverpool who will look to restructure their attack this summer with a number of high profile outgoings. 

Ousmane Dembele is likely to be available having stalled on contract negotiations with Barca

Sadio Mane is believed to be likely to depart Anfield this summer opening up the possibility of an attacking incoming at Liverpool

It has been reported that Sadio Mane could be heading to Bayern Munich while Roberto Firmino’s lack of game time this season suggests he could also depart the club.

Sport, a Spanish publication, report that these likely outgoings open the door for the Merseyside club to make a move for Dembele.

Liverpool face competition from the likes of PSG and Chelsea, however, for a player that cost Barcelona a reported £105m in 2017. 

Reports state that Liverpool tried to make a move for the player in January with it being unclear what scuppered a potential deal in the winter. The arrival of Luiz Diaz and Barcelona’s belief that they could get Dembele to re-sign are both possibilities. 

The belief at Barcelona that Dembele will re-sign has waned in recent months, with Sport reporting that it has been acknowledged by both parties how complicated a potential deal would be between the two. 

 The club have acknowledged the difficulty of getting a deal done with Ousmane Dembele

Barcelona’s dire financial state means Dembele’s salary demands cannot be met by the club and as such other European giants have seen the door left ajar for them to try and prise away the player. 

PSG, having just tied Kylian Mbappe down to a record three-year deal, are still believed to represent the likeliest destination for the French international, Sport suggest. 

However, it has been noted that structural changes at the top of the Parisian club mean it is not as certain as it was once believed to be. Luis Campos has arrived at the club, replacing the outgoing sporting director Leonardo.