Newcastle starts negotiations with Barcelona winger, set to offer €15m salary

With Barcelona yet to reach an agreement with Ousmane Dembele over a new contract, many clubs are sniffing around the situation of the Frenchman. There have been rumours of interest from the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City.

And, as per the latest reports from Foot Mercato, Newcastle United have also entered the fray for the signing of the 24-year-old Barcelona winger, when his current deal expires at the end of the season.

Newcastle have become the talk of the town following their mega takeover by the Saudi Arabia-backed consortium earlier this month. The Magpies, who are struggling in the Premier League, are looking at a major rebuild job in the coming months, having already sacked manager Steve Bruce.

With their new owners’ deep pockets, Newcastle have been linked with numerous high-profile star players since the takeover was ratified. Now, Barcelona’s Dembele has become the latest in line to emerge as a transfer target for the Tyneside giants.

With Barcelona since 2017, when he signed for a transfer fee of €105million (without bonuses), Dembele has struggled to get going at Camp Nou due to a series of injury problems. The 24-year-old winger has managed just 81 La Liga appearances for the Catalans despite being in his fifth season at the club.

While his future at Camp Nou had been in question last year, the new management under president Joan Laporta are keen on keeping hold of him after the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner showed glimpses of his unbridled potential last season, before succumbing to yet another injury.

Newcastle prepare bumper contract offer for Dembele

To that end, talks over a new contract have been going on for a while now, with Barca putting forth an offer that would see Dembele extend his stay till 2025, but on reduced wages considering the club is not in the pinkest of health financially.

And, Newcastle, as per the report, are hoping to take advantage of that by offering the Frenchman a bumper contract to lure him to St. James’ Park. Talks have been held between the Magpies and the player’s camp, with a deal worth €15million per year being discussed.

In addition to that, the Premier League club are also willing to hand him a massive signing-on bonus of €15million, as they would be exempt from paying a transfer fee for his services in the summer.

Those figures are impossible to match for Barcelona as things stand. The ball firmly lies in Dembele’s court and he will be the master of his own fate as he considers his future options.

While Newcastle are offering him a mega-money deal, any chance of a move would hinge on their survival in the Premier League – they are currently 19th in the table and getting relegated would rule out any chance of them signing Dembele.