Manchester United, Chelsea 'drop Ousmane Dembele interest'

Manchester United and Chelsea are reportedly no longer interested in signing Barcelona attacker Ousmane Dembele.

The 25-year-old has just finished representing France at the 2022 World Cup, with the forward helping his country reach the final of the competition, providing two assists in seven appearances in total.

Dembele disappointed in the first half of the final with Argentina, though, which led to France boss Didier Deschamps withdrawing him shortly before the interval.

The attacker will head back to Barcelona after a short break to prepare for the return of competitive club action, and he has been an important player for Xavi's side this term, scoring five goals and registering seven assists in 20 appearances in all competitions.

Dembele only has a contract at Camp Nou until June 2024, though, as he penned a two-year deal last summer after initially leaving on a free transfer.

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Man United and Chelsea were among a number of clubs to be linked with the attacker last summer when it appeared that he would be seeking pastures new.

The duo had thought to still be interested in his signature, but according to El Nacional, the two teams have now officially dropped their interest.

The report claims that Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag had viewed Dembele as a possible replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo, with the attacker's contract being terminated at the end of November.

However, Man United are 'now thinking of other options', with Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann believed to be a leading target for the 20-time English champions.

A recent report claimed that Ten Hag's side are lining up an offer for Griezmann in the hope of bringing him to Old Trafford during the January transfer window.

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Chelsea, meanwhile, have allegedly 'deleted Dembele's name from their agenda', with the Blues instead set to focus on signing a centre-forward in January.

There is believed to be a €50m (£43.6m) release clause in the Frenchman's contract at Camp Nou, which can be activated next summer.

A recent report claimed that Paris Saint-Germain remain interested in Dembele, with the club putting plans in place in the event that Lionel Messi decides against signing a new deal.

The former Rennes youngster made the move to Barcelona from Borussia Dortmund in August 2017, and he has represented the Catalan outfit on 170 occasions in all competitions, contributing 37 goals and 41 assists in the process.