Liverpool are reportedly keen on signing the Barcelona ace.
Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde spoke to reporters about the future of Ousmane Dembele, amidst rumours linking the Frenchman with a summer switch to Liverpool, as quoted by the Daily Star.
French media outlet SFR Sport claimed earlier this week that the Reds are keen to bring the 20-year-old to Anfield this summer, with Jürgen Klopp being a huge fan of the young winger.
Dembele joined Barca from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2017, for a fee that could eventually rise to £135 million, but he has struggled to establish himself at the Camp Nou, chalking up just two goals and seven assists in 20 appearances in all competitions thus far.
When speaking to reporters, Valverde dismissed rumours linking the France international with a summer exit from the Catalan giants, urging the club’s fans and the media to give the young talent time to adjust to life at Barcelona, as quoted by the Daily Star:
“We have to realise he just got here. He’s had some injuries and getting playing time in our team is not easy. He’s an incredible talent, technically outstanding, he’s quick, a difference-maker. Maybe he needs to work on defence a little bit and some other areas. Maybe putting on pressure after we lose the ball. But we know he’s young, he’s had a tough season and we hope he will continue to develop next year.”
Klopp will surely be heavily active during this summer’s transfer window, but following Valverde’s comments on Dembele, the Merseyside outfit would have to offer an extortionate amount of money to Barcelona if they want to add the Frenchman to their already explosive front-line.
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