Barcelona enter race to sign Manchester United’s ideal Anthony Martial competition

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could face competition from Barcelona for a transfer target.

Manchester United face competition from Barcelona to sign Lyon striker Moussa Dembele this summer. The French club are ready to listen to the offers for their attacking asset after a remarkable journey to the Champions League semi-final.

Moussa Dembele, since his move to Lyon from Celtic in 2018, has attracted interest from a host of European heavyweights, owing to steady progress in the Ligue 1. During this period, the 24-year-old has managed 47 goals and 13 assists. The Frenchman’s stocks saw a sharp rise after his brace against Manchester City in Champions League quarter-final.

Before the Champions League campaign, it was all quiet around Moussa Dembele, who was keen to leave Lyon this summer, but only if a suitable proposal arrived his way. It was understood that the former Celtic man has induced enquiries from Chelsea, RB Leipzig, and Manchester United.

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Juninho, Lyon’s Sporting Director, has hinted towards the availability of Moussa Dembele in the current transfer market. The club are eager to generate funds to reinforce the squad and push for Champions League qualification next season. Manchester United bosses, having expressed their eagerness before, are expected to make a move.

"The aim now is to continue working, immediately with Ligue 1. There are no presents. We will have to work. If we continue like this, we will be back in this competition. When you are well paid, you need motivation every day, we are going to concentrate on Ligue 1. There are the basics.There will be departures, but I am not worried. When you have players who play very well in a competition like this, like Moussa (Dembélé) and Houssem (Aouar)… We will have to show the same spirit to be back in the Champions’ League next season. (Quotes via GFFN)"

As things stand, Barcelona have put themselves ahead of Manchester United in the race to sign Moussa Dembele. Henrik Larsson, Blaugrana’s assistant manager, has made initial contact with the French striker with the Catalan club expected to make a formal offer to Lyon, as per transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio.

It is understood that Ronald Koeman has sanctioned the signing of Dembele and it now rests on his paymasters to approach Lyon with a transfer bid. Barcelona are planning a massive overhaul post-Bayern Munich disaster, and the 24-year-old is envisaged as a perfect replacement for Luis Suarez.

Despite firm interest from Barcelona, the official contacts are yet to be established and Manchester United need to act swiftly to swoop in for the France youth international.

With no summer arrival thus far, Manchester United are still prioritising a deal for Jadon Sancho. But, there are a few deals which are worked upon in the background.

The United bosses need to pull up their act with less than a week before Manchester United squad report back for pre-season training on September 2.

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