Manchester United are growing more hopeful over a transfer for Ousmane Dembele following fresh action from Barcelona over his contract, according to a report.
Dembele has had a mixed career at Barcelona so far since his big-money move from Borussia Dortmund. While he has enjoyed strong spells of form such as during last season, injuries have continually hampered his progress.
And with his contract running into its final six months from January, speculation is growing about his future.
In any case, he will be free to discuss a move to another club from next month onwards. Barcelona have tried to get an official stay-or-go decision out of Dembele for some time, but negotiations have proved difficult.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Barca chiefs have now taken action by imposing a final two-week deadline for him to finalise his choice.
Indeed, the club want an official decision by December 15 to give them time to prepare for his potential exit. But right now, Dembele has every intention of staying at Camp Nou and signing a new deal.
It is his agent that is slowing down the talks and causing Barcelona major frustration, the report adds.
The La Liga side suspect the representative, Moussa Sissoko, of offering his client to the highest bidder. He has also supposedly delayed talks by continually asking for clarification about Dembele’s role at the club.
As such, Barcelona are growing tired and want a final decision from the player and his agent in two weeks.
While the situation has put the Spanish club at unease, Man Utd are growing more hopeful that they can snap Dembele up as a free agent.
Barcelona want Dembele to stay and, for their part, have offered a ‘competitive’ contract in line with others at the club.