Ousmane Dembele proposal for Man Utd as Leeds get Daniel James hope

Date published: Tuesday 22nd September 2020 12:50

Manchester United have made progress in talks with Barcelona officials over a deal to sign Ousmane Dembele, according to a report.

After a promising first full campaign as Old Trafford manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will have hoped for a pain-free summer on the transfer front.

But with under two weeks before the window shuts, United so far just have Donny van de Beek to show for their efforts.

The lack of new arrivals has prompted Luke Shaw to send a strong message to Ed Woodward.

While Jadon Sancho remains the club’s No 1 target, a report on Sunday claimed those hopes were more faint than ever. That’s amid claims Borussia Dortmund are ready to raise the winger’s asking price.

With those hopes fading fast, United were on Monday reported to have agreed a deal to sign Ismaila Sarr.

However, unwanted Barca man Dembele remains another option for United. As such, the Daily Record claims United officials have held promising talks with Barcelona counterparts over a deal.

As per the report, United have asked Barca about the possibility of taking Dembele on a season-long loan. Barcelona, however, would prefer a cash sale and are said to value Dembele at around €80m.

Given his injury record over the past three seasons, United would prefer to take him on an initial loan. As such, the Record claims a compromise deal could be reached. To that end, it’s reported Barcelona have proposed to United the prospect of Dembele signing on loan with an obligation to buy next summer.

Talks are set to be continuing, though United may well prefer the ‘option to buy’ route instead.

Manchester United’s capture of a new winger – be it Dembele or Sarr – would allow Daniel James to join Leeds.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side came within a whisker of signing the Wales winger on the winter deadline day 2019. The deal looked to be done only for Swansea to change their mind at the last minute.

That strategy appeared to pay off when James joined the Red Devils a few months later for close to double the price.

James made a flying start to Old Trafford with three goals in his first four games.

Since then, however, his form has dried up and he has scored just once since. James has also come in for severe criticism from their fanbase with many suggesting he isn’t good enough.

However, reports at the weekend claimed Leeds had reignited their interest and were prepared to hand United their money back.

Now it seems a deal could be done once the Red Devils secure a new winger of their own.

Unconfirmed reports claim Leeds could sign James on a season’s loan with a view to a £12m deal next summer.