Liverpool made a move to sign Ousmane Dembele 18 months ago, according to the exciting young Frenchman.
Barcelona ace Ousmane Dembele sat down for an exclusive interview with French publication Onze Mondial, and claimed that Liverpool wanted to sign him when he left Rennes in the summer of 2016.
The France international went on to join Borussia Dortmund instead, before moving to Barcelona in the summer of 2017, for a fee believed to be worth in the region of €145 million (£129 million), according to the Guardian.
The 20-year-old is widely considered to be one of the most exciting young talents in world football, but he has struggled to establish himself at the Camp Nou thus far, chalking up just three assists and zero goals in 10 appearances for the Catalan giants this season.
Injuries have undoubtedly played their part in his struggles this term, however, and patience will be required if he is to fulfil his potential in Spain.
Things could have been so different for the young Frenchman, though.
Dembele told Onze Mondial how Liverpool tried to sign him in the summer of 2016, before he made his £13.3 million switch to Dortmund:
“I spoke to three clubs (when leaving Rennes). Dortmund, Liverpool and Barcelona. I had an appointment with FC Barcelona. I told them, ‘For next season, it will not be possible. But the next time you contact me, I’ll come.’ And that’s what happened.”
The Reds currently have one of the most exciting forward lines in world football, and had they snared Dembele 18 months ago, they could have been quite simply unstoppable.
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