Manchester United 'prepared to pay £44m for Ousmane Dembele this summer'

Manchester United are reportedly lining up a €50m (£44m) move for Barcelona attacker Ousmane Dembele.

The France international is currently on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, but he has impressed for his Catalan club this season, scoring eight goals and registering seven assists in 28 appearances.

Dembele left Barcelona on a free transfer for a two-week period last summer before returning to Camp Nou in the middle of July, signing a two-year contract at the club.

The 25-year-old has entered the final 18 months of his contract at Camp Nou, and there have been claims that there will be a €50m (£44m) release clause in his deal this summer.

According to Calciomercato, Man United are preparing to activate the buy-out clause in his contract, with Red Devils head coach Erik ten Hag determined to bring the Frenchman to Old Trafford.

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The report claims that Juventus and Inter Milan are also interested, but the two Italian clubs would find it difficult to afford his signature when taking into account the overall package, including wages.

Chelsea and Newcastle United have also been linked with the attacker, but it is understood that Man United lead the Premier League interest.

Barcelona want to sign Dembele to a new contract, but according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Xavi's side could find it difficult to renew his deal due to their financial issues.

"It's still early to say what's going to happen with Ousmane Dembele, Financial Fair Play will be crucial for Barcelona; but they really want to extend Dembele's contract," Romano wrote in his column for CaughtOffside.

"Xavi is very happy with him, at this stage there's nothing concrete with Premier League clubs."

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Dembele had been expected to return from a hamstring injury in Sunday's El Clasico with Real Madrid, but the match has ultimately come too soon for the attacker.

Since arriving at Camp Nou from Borussia Dortmund in August 2017, the forward has represented Barcelona on 178 occasions in all competitions, contributing 40 goals and 41 assists in the process.

Dembele's ability to play on the left and the right has allegedly made him an attractive proposition for Man United, with the Red Devils expected to be in the market for a couple of new attackers this summer.

A new centre-forward is set to arrive, with Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane and Napoli's Victor Osimhen viewed as leading targets for the 20-time English champions.

Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham is currently being linked with a switch to Old Trafford, with Ten Hag also believed to be looking to add another midfielder to his squad.