‘Really close’: Romano dashes Liverpool’s hopes of signing £136m target

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Ousmane Dembele is reportedly close to penning a new contract with FC Barcelona despite reports that Liverpool were in the race to sign the France international this summer.

Fabrizio Romano took to Twitter to announce that the winger and La Liga giants are in full agreement over signing a new contract, with Dembele ‘really close’ to putting pen to paper on a deal that will keep the £136m signing in Catalonia for the future.

Dembele has been one of Europe’s most hotly watched players this summer after the attacker’s contract with Barcelona can to an end last week, with the likes of Liverpool, Tottenham and Arsenal all reportedly interested in signing the 25-year-old superstar.

For most of the past 12 months, Dembele has looked set to leave Barcelona for good. However, after an incredible run of performances under Xavi Hernandez, the winger has found his form again, with the La Liga giants now set to renew the attacker to a new deal.

The news will come as a big shock to many European sides, especially Liverpool, who have been the Premier League side that looked likeliest to sign Dembele before this contract update with Barcelona, with Jurgen Klopp seemingly keen on landing another attacker.

Indeed, whilst Liverpool have signed Darwin Nunez to replace Sadio Mane, the departures of Takumi Minamino and Divock Origi leave the Reds very short in the attack, and Dembele could have been perfect for the Merseyside giants had Barcelona not managed to sign the forward to a new contract.

Dembele could thrive for Barcelona after signing new contract

Dembele has been a Barcelona player since 2017, yet it is only this year where the attacker has really looked like a £100m+ superstar, and the Catalan side securing the winger to a new deal is huge for the club’s prospects for next season.

With Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha set to join Barcelona, Dembele will be part of a new-look attacker under Xavi that could challenge Real Madrid for the La Liga title, and for Liverpool, they’ve missed a huge chance to sign of Europe’s most exciting forwards.