KEY POINTS

  • Manchester United is ready to make a move for Barcelona's Ousmane Dembele
  • Juventus wants to swap Paulo Dybala for Dembele
  • Barca manager Ronald Koeman earlier expressed his admiration for Dembele

Manchester United is moving up a notch in pursuing a highly-rated winger, but a new threat might come along.

The Red Devils were rumored to have held talks for a possible loan deal for Barcelona star Ousmane Dembele last summer, but nothing came to fruition until the new season began.

Now, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side is believed to be rekindling their interest in Dembele, Sport Witness reported.

The report added that Manchester United is likely to come up with either a bid for Dembele in the upcoming transfer window or wait to sign the 23-year-old for free when his contract with Barca ends.

Amid Manchester United’s chase for Dembele, Serie A's Juventus emerged as the winger’s newest suitor.

Apparently, the Italian outfit is considering offering a swap deal involving attacking midfielder Paulo Dybala in exchange for Dembele, Italian publication Tuttosport reported.

Dembele is the second most expensive Barcelona signing in history. Due to injuries, he only managed to play five games last season.

However, the FIFA World Cup champion has regained his rhythm under Ronald Koeman in the current campaign, having been featured 22 times with four goals to date.

Following his resurgence, it is believed that Barcelona would opt to extend Dembele’s contract, which is set to expire at the end of next season.

Hinting at sticking to Dembele, Barca manager Koeman earlier raved about the two-time La Liga champion’s return to fine form.

"Physically, Ousmane Dembele has improved a lot and I have no doubt about his quality as a player,” Koeman said in a press conference ahead of the Real Betis clash last month. “I don't know how he was in the past. He's great, good one against one, and adds a lot of depth to our game. I love this player, and now he's very happy, which is very nice.”

On the front foot: Ousmane Dembele set France on the way to victory with the opening goal in Kazakhstan
Ousmane Dembele moved from Dortmund to Barcelona in 2017 AFP / FRANCK FIFE

Manchester United’s midfield has become a subject of transfer rumors in recent times. If reports are to be true, the club is secretly planning to replace Paul Pogba, who has been linked to a move away from Old Trafford.

Dembele, on the other hand, is one of the most remarkable players in Barcelona and has been a helpful co-attacker for Lionel Messi for years.

Though it’s a bit early to conclude, a player like Dembele could be a suitable Pogba replacement.

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