Manchester United ready to challenge Juventus for ‘big-money’ forward in summer transfer swoop

Manchester United will challenge Juventus and other clubs for Ousmane Dembele this summer, according to reports.

The forward, who has one goal and two assists in 11 appearances for Barcelona this season, is yet to sign a new deal with the La Liga club with his contract expiring at the end of the season.

According to Sport, United are looking to bring the Frenchman to Old Trafford this summer and have already begun negotiating with his agent Moussa Sissoko.

The site claims Barcelona ‘know first-hand’ that the Red Devils and Dembele’s representatives have been ‘meeting in recent weeks’.

They also add that United ‘have already talked about figures’ with the 24-year-old regarding a move this summer, with them being ‘at Juve’s level’.

Juventus are just one of several other clubs linked with the forward’s signature. Paris-Saint Germain are also interested in signing the Frenchman this summer, according to the Mail.

Dembele’s future was a topic of discussion during the January transfer window, but a move away from the Nou Camp didn’t materialise.

He was on the bench during Barcelona’s 4-2 win against Atletico Madrid on Sunday, not being brought on by manager Xavi.

The 24-year-old missed the first 14 league games for his club due to a knee and hamstring injury and in December tested positive for Covid-19, meaning he was absent from Barcelona’s 1-0 win over Mallorca on January 2.

Dembele has been capped 27 times for the French national team, scoring four times and was part of their 2018 World Cup winning squad.