Transfer Centre

Manchester City 'leading race for Barcelona forward Ousmane Dembele'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 13 January 2019

Man City 'leading race for Ousmane Dembele'

Manchester City emerge as favourites to sign Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele, who has been linked with a move away from Camp Nou this season.

Manchester City have emerged as favourites to sign Ousmane Dembele from Barcelona.

Dembele's future at Camp Nou has been under question so far this season, having been in and out of the team under manager Ernesto Valverde.

The 21-year-old missed a large chunk of his debut campaign through injury before struggling for form this term, while the club's hierarchy are also understood to have been unimpressed with his lack of professionalism.

Bookmakers have now made Man City favourites to offer Dembele an escape route from the Spanish champions, although any deal is unlikely to happen during the current transfer window.

City boss Pep Guardiola has played down the chance of his side bolstering their squad this month, despite currently sitting seven points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Dembele is expected to remain with Barcelona this month, but should City not retain their title this season then they could revive their interest in the France international at the end of the campaign.