Newcastle United have shown interest in signing Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembele, according to Fabrizio Romano.
It is reported the forward was approached by the English club ‘weeks ago’ about a possible transfer, but the Catalonia side remains ‘optimistic’ to tie Dembele down to a new contract in the coming days.
Newcastle United Showed Interest in Barcelona Forward Ousmane Dembele
Newcastle approached Ousmane Dembélé and his agents weeks ago to make a proposal – but the feeling is still optimistic for his contract extension with Barcelona. 🔴 #FCB #NUFC
Barça are confident to reach the final agreement in the next days, and Xavi is pushing to keep Ousmane.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 23, 2021
Barcelona Confidence
Ousmane Dembele is in the final year of his contract and the club is potentially fearful of losing the £124 million winger for nothing in the summer or selling him for a substantial loss in January. Contract talks have dragged on for a while, though confidence in a breakthrough final agreement is being exhibited by Barcelona.
If, or perhaps when, Dembele signs his new deal, there will be enormous hope that he can turn his Camp Nou career around. The Frenchman arrived from Borussia Dortmund as one of the hottest prospects in world football. But, he has since been plagued by injuries, discipline issues and inefficient performances.
His highest goal tally for a single season in Spain came during his second season when he scored 11 times.
Takeover’s Ambition
Newcastle’s new owners have already shown one hint that they want to be a legitimate power due to their transfer pursuit of young star Sven Botman. However, this transfer news takes it one step further.
The reported interest highlights the ambition of the Saudi-backed consortium to establish itself as a global power. Dembele certainly comes with risks, but the risks are easily affordable to the ownership. Additionally, his stature as a player would be welcomed considering the lack of investment the fans endured during Mike Ashley’s years.
However, on the flip side, missing out on Dembele could be a bullet dodged for Newcastle if the issues at Camp Nou were replicated at St James’ Park.
Of course, it is difficult to judge hypothetical situations. The event of such a transfer would be interesting to observe. The likelihood of this happening right now though is slim.
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