Barcelona ‘set price for Ousmane Dembele’ as winger shines against Villareal

As Liverpool monitors Ousmane Dembele for a loan-move, the teenager scores a brace as Barcelona continues their unbeaten league run.

Ousmane Dembele silenced his critics in an emphatic fashion in the Wednesday night’s game against Villareal. The teenager scored a brace and set up the opening goal for Coutinho, as Barcelona eased past Villareal 5-1. Dembele played a pivotal role in maintaining the club’s unbeaten run in the La Liga campaign this season.

Ousmane Dembele, who arrived as Barcelona’s then most expensive signing last summer, has been mostly out-of-favor from manager Ernesto Valverde. The Frenchmen has also had bad luck with injuries throughout the season.

According to a report by Don Balon, Liverpool have been told that Barcelona may start talks with Liverpool if they receive an offer in the region of £105m. It would still be a loan-move first, with an option to buy. However, Barcelona president Joseph Maria Bartomeu has done his best to rubbish the transfer talks.

In an interview with Spanish Radio RAC1, Bartomeu said: “We are finishing the season and then there will be meetings. He’s an investment for the future. He is very young and we expect a lot from him.”

Reports from French news outlets Canal, RMC Sport, and L’Equipe say that the Premier League have almost wrapped up £62m deal for Nabil Fekir, and Jurgen Klopp is now interested in signing Ousmane Dembele on loan.

Barcelona president Joseph Maria Bartomeu denied claims stating Dembele is on his way to England, even though the teenager has had a troubled first season with the club.

RMC Sport’s Boufhasi has stated that Jürgen Klopp is obsessed with the Frenchmen and wants to bring him to England on loan.

After the Villareal game, Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde said, “He had a great game. He got involved around the goal and provided assists. He’s got frightening pace, as we saw the fifth goal. We expect a lot from him and we hope that he will deliver. He is a great talent.”

Liverpool has clearly shown this season that they can go head to head with any team in the world, but the Reds have struggled with their form lately, with much of the blame coming from the fact that there is a very little or no depth in the squad. Hence, the move for Dembele hardly comes as a surprise.