Liverpool 'in contention for Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele'

Liverpool are reportedly regarded as a realistic option for Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele next summer.

Dembele's future at Camp Nou has been the subject of increasing speculation amid reports that the club's board and management staff are becoming increasingly frustrated with his ill-discipline.

The France international missed a training session last month and is understood to have turned up two hours late to another one in the wake of Saturday's 4-0 win over Espanyol.

Spanish outlet El Confidencial reports that Liverpool are currently leading the race for his signature and are considered a much more genuine candidate than Premier League rivals Arsenal, who have also been credited with an interest.

However, Barcelona would not be willing to let Dembele leave the club on the cheap, having spent more than £100m on the 21-year-old just last year.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is hopeful that Barcelona's exasperation with Dembele's off-field antics helps to lower that price, although it is still expected to take a hefty bid to prise him away from Camp Nou.