Liverpool news: Expert issues Ousmane Dembele signing claim after update
Liverpool will not be making a move for Ousmane Dembele despite his agent’s efforts to drum up a move, according to Noel Whelan.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the Merseysiders will be unconvinced by the 25-year-old’s struggles with “injury and inconsistency” at Barcelona.
According to Spanish outlet Sport (28 May), Liverpool have “made contact” with Dembele’s entourage in order to explore a free transfer this summer.
The report claims the Catalan giants are also in talks with the France international as they attempt to extend the winger’s contract – which expires next month.
Dembele made just 15 La Liga starts this season but recorded an impressive 13 assists in the Spanish top flight.
Whelan insisted the star’s representatives are trying to push up any potential wage received this summer.
“It’s probably just agent talk,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“That’s the way it goes when players get down to the end of their contract. This is when the agents earn their money, by pushing and selling them to other clubs in the media to drive the wages up.
“I’m not sure it’s a route Liverpool will want to go down.
“There’s a player in there, for sure. But there’s been problems with him ever since he made that big-money move.
“It’s not really come to fruition at Barcelona for Dembele when it really should have. He’s got everything he needs at that club to succeed, and it just didn’t happen.
“He’s had his struggles with injury and inconsistency.
“I’m sure we’ll see his name attached to almost every big club in the world this summer.”
In other news, expert claims Liverpool are well placed to sign “mega-money” striker.