Ousmane Dembele has turned his nose up at a loan move to Liverpool with Gianluca di Marzio claiming that the Barcelona benchwarmer has been approached by the Anfield giants this week.
You need to be something a bit special to get into this Reds team. And, despite all those injury problems, those question marks surrounding his attitude, Dembele is certainly special.
His time at Barcelona might have been nothing short of a nightmare, ruined by a seemingly never-ending series of fitness problems and off-the-field controversies.
But, remember, this is a World Cup-winning forward who, just three years ago, was heading to the Camp Nou for £97 million after setting the Bundesliga alight with Borussia Dortmund.
And Jurgen Klopp, former coach of the black and yellows, is apparently willing to ignore all the alarm bells and take a punt on a player who, at his best, is capable of making even the finest of full-backs look silly.
Di Marzio claims that Liverpool have made contact with Dembele in recent days to enquire about whether he would be keen to join on loan with an option-to-buy.
Liverpool fans shouldn’t hold their breath, however. The report adds that Dembele, who has made just five La Liga appearances all season, wants to stay and fight for his place at the Camp Nou.
Whether the one-time Rennes wonderkid will be handed an opportunity to do just that is anyone’s guess.
According to Marca, Barca are so desperate to get Dembele off their wage bill (and the treatment table) that they have shaved a staggering £40 million off his price-tag – meaning he is available for ‘just’ £55 million.
Liverpool are soaring while Barcelona are sinking – so maybe Dembele should reconsider his stance.
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