Man Utd hold 'informal talks' with Barcelona over Ousmane Dembele deal

Manchester United have reportedly held initial talks with Barcelona ahead of a potential move for World Cup winner Ousmane Dembele.

The Red Devils have identified Dembele as an alternative target after missing the Monday deadline to sign Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho.

The Frenchman has not played since last November due to injury and underwent hamstring surgery earlier this year.

Dembele moved to Barcelona from Dortmund for an initial fee of £96.8million three years ago but has seen his minutes limited by a string of muscle injuries.

Nonetheless United are keen on a move for the 23-year-old, according to ESPN , and have held “informal talks” with the Catalan giants over a transfer.

During the discussions, Dembele moving to Old Trafford on a season-loan loan with an obligation to buy was discussed.

But no formal offer has been tabled and Dembele – who has two years remaining on his deal at Camp Nou – would need to be convinced to leave Barcelona.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is believed to have assembled a shortlist of targets as he looks to reinforce his options on the right wing.

As well as first-choice option Sancho and Barcelona’s Dembele, the United boss is interested in moving for Bayern Munich’s Kingsley Coman or Juventus ‘ Douglas Costa.

But the Red Devils remain hopeful of securing the services of England international Sancho despite Dortmund’s hands-off warning, during which sporting director Michael Zorc said his side “plan on having Sancho in our team this season”.

Meanwhile, Barcelona are open to offers for Dembele as they look to raise transfer funds, according to reports from Spain.

Dembele managed just nine appearances across all competitions this season, finding the back of the net once.

However, he could feature in Barcelona’s Champions League quarter-final clash with Bayern Munich as he continues to rebuild match fitness after his six-month layoff since surgery in February.

Sign up to the Mirror Football email here for the latest news and transfer gossip.