Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Man Utd chief Ed Woodward holds Ousmane Dembele transfer talks as Barcelona make demand
Manchester United are leaving it late to do business in the summer transfer window.
Man Utd: Solskjaer addresses transfers after Palace defeat
Manchester United chief Ed Woodward has reportedly held talks to sign Ousmane Dembele with Barcelona willing to sell the winger. United are desperate to do business in the final few weeks of the summer transfer window but they're running out of time to get what they want.
A right-sided winger has been at the top of their wishlist all summer long with Jadon Sancho their main priority.
But they've been unable to make any breakthrough in negotiations with Borussia Dortmund.
The Bundesliga outfit are not budging on their £108million asking price with United unwilling to shell out that kind of money on one player in the current market.
Bournemouth's David Brooks and Juventus winger Douglas Costa have been touted as possible cheaper alternatives.
JUST IN: Jadon Sancho to Man Utd: Borussia Dortmund have Ed Woodward theory
United though are still hoping to bring in a marquee signing and progress has supposedly been made in a bid to sign Dembele from Barcelona.
The 23-year-old moved to the Nou Camp in 2017 for an initial £96million with Barcelona bringing him in to replace Neymar.
The moved hasn't worked out for Dembele though, with long-term injuries and poor form limiting him to just 35 league starts.
And it appears as though Barcelona are ready to cut their losses.
DON'T MISS
Man Utd transfer was blocked by Mourinho after personal terms agreed
Man Utd left 'stunned' by Dominic Calvert-Lewin huge asking price
Leeds weighing up Man Utd transfer swoop that could depend on Sancho
According to the Daily Record, Ed Woodward has led a line of enquiry among United officials in talks to sign Dembele on loan.
The report states that Barcelona are hoping to sell the winger as they're keen to balance their high wage bill.
Barcelona are said to be open to a season-long loan, but only if a deal included an obligation to buy next summer.
It is said that any such clause would see United needing to pay just over £90m next summer to make his move permanent.
But Dembele would need to be convinced of a move away from Barcelona as he is said to be determined to stay at the club.
Dembele played just nine games in all competitions last season due to a number of injury issues.
He is back to full fitness though and is expected to be involved in their season opener against Villarreal on Sunday.
And reports in Spain suggest Ronald Koeman is keen to have Dembele at the club for the upcoming season.