Arsenal have tabled a loan-to-buy offer for Barcelona forward Ousmane Dembele, according to Guillem Balague.
The Spanish football expert claimed on his You Tube channel (6:30) that the Gunners have made a formal move to sign the France international, who joined from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2017.
Speaking about Liverpool’s reported interest in Dembele, the BBC contributor denied they want the player but explained there has been strong interest from another Premier League giant.
“The only approach from Arsenal was to get him on loan, with an option to buy,” Balague told You Tube. “That was an intermediate, not directly from Arsenal.
“And again, Barcelona did not listen to it. Barcelona don’t want to let him go in January either. They believe that they can get something out of him. They think he has the potential to make a difference like he did at the start of the season.”
Good move for Arsenal?
It could be a stunning move. Equally, it might not be such a good one. Hence, why Arsenal appear to be hedging their bets over the Frenchman and suggesting an initial loan to assess the player close at hand. Dembele is young – he does not turn 22 until next May – mega-talented, blistering quick and capable of destroying defences. He also said to be a handful for his managers and this has tested the patience of Barcelona after they paid an astonishing £135million for him last year. Arsenal certainly won’t pay anywhere near that, although the French wide attacker looked in fine fettle at the start of this season and his 2018-19 record of six goals from 15 matches is more than creditable.
This Is Futbol rating 8/10
Likely to happen?
In January, it’s unlikely, despite reports of the Frenchman’s disciplinary problems and poor timekeeping. However, don’t rule out a move next summer, when the likelihood is that Barcelona will listen to offers for a player who has delivered only fleetingly since signing from Dortmund for that jawdropping fee at the start of last season.
This Is Futbol rating 3/10