Liverpool preparing operation for Barcelona winger, Klopp is ‘in love’ with the player

Speculations surrounding the future of Barcelona star Ousmane Dembele are growing with each passing day as we approach the January transfer window. The 24-year-old is in the final year of his contract with the Catalan giants and is yet to agree a new deal.

Talks over a contract have been in progress with the Frenchman’s agent Moussa Sissoko. At the same time, however, the representative has also been speaking with other clubs to assess the kind of options his client might have from elsewhere over a potential free transfer in the summer.

And, as per Mundo Deportivo, Liverpool are among the clubs that are keeping close tabs on Dembele’s situation at Barcelona. The report states that the Reds’ manager, Jurgen Klopp, is ‘in love’ with the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner and is keen on bringing him to Anfield.

The report further goes on to add that Klopp has requested Liverpool director Michael Edwards to complete the signing of the Frenchman. And, it is being claimed that the wheels have already been set in motion as the Reds are readying a financial package to try and lure Dembele away from Camp Nou.

Edwards has informed Liverpool’s owners, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), that Dembele’s transfer will be prioritised. The club plan to open talks with him starting January 1 in the hope to conclude a free transfer at the end of the season.

A big signing-on bonus and a hefty contract are set to be offered as the club would not be shelling out any transfer fee for his signing.

Dembele is a man in demand

However, things might not be as straightforward as they seem, with Liverpool likely to face competition from several clubs in pursuit of the 24-year-old. Indeed, the report goes on to state that Chelsea are keeping tabs on the situation as Thomas Tuchel, who managed Dembele at Borussia Dortmund, wants a reunion.

Juventus are another club that are keen on the Frenchman and have held talks with his representatives already, while PSG have also been following him closely. Not to mention both the Manchester clubs, City and United, also are in the hunt.

In fact, an alternate report from SPORT claims that Manchester United are ready to make a concerted push to sign Dembele. The Red Devils have been tracking the 24-year-old for over a year now and are ready to offer him a bumper contract to swoop him away from Barcelona on a free transfer.

While Barcelona have been patient with Dembele and his camp thus far, they have given him a deadline till the end of October to agree on a new deal. Failure to do so could see him be banished from the squad.

Currently out with an injury, Dembele is expected to be back in training this week. With the race for his signing heating up, it will be interesting to see where he ends up or decides to pen an extension with Barcelona.