Man Utd ‘closing in on Ousmane Dembele transfer with agent advising winger NOT to sign new Barcelona contract’

MANCHESTER UNITED are reportedly positioning themselves to snap up long-time transfer target Ousmane Dembele for FREE.

The Frenchman’s contract at the Catalan giants is set to expire next June, potentially spelling an end to his injury-hit career at the club.

GETTY IMAGESDembele’s agent is reportedly advising him to snub a new contract at Barca[/caption]

According to Mundo Deportivo, Dembele’s agent has advised against signing a new deal with Barca.

Dembele is being fed the impression he could pick up more money elsewhere, with Premier League duo Man Utd and newly mega-rich Newcastle circling.

United are believed to have the edge in the race to sign the unpredictable winger, already positioning themselves to make a move.

But it is unclear whether an offer will be submitted in the winter transfer window.

Barca boss Xavi says it is one of the club’s ‘priorities’ to tie Dembele down to a new deal, with the Spaniard believing the winger has the potential to be one of the best in the world.

Xavi said: “Extending Ousmane Dembele’s contract is one of our priorities, yes. He could be the best player in the world in his position.

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“Ousmane has to work a lot, he has the potential to make the difference at Barca as a world top player. But he needs to be consistent.”

Dembele was, however, the first casualty of Xavi’s strict, non nonsense approach.

The 24-year-old was the first player to be fine for being late to training.

And it appears his time-keeping hasn’t got any better, with Dembele showing up to a Barca team meal an hour after team-mate Pedri’s arrival.

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