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Ousmane Dembele to Liverpool: Barcelona president responds to transfer claims
OUSMANE DEMBELE will not be joining Liverpool from Barcelona this summer, according to Josep Maria Bartomeu.
The Frenchman has endured a tough time in his debut season at the Nou Camp.
A hamstring injury early in the season kept Dembele out for six months.
And the youngster has failed to regain his place in Ernesto Valverde's first team since returning earlier this year.
Jurgen Klopp was pressed on the transfer rumours earlier this week, responding: "Is he on the market? Now I'm interested."
But Bartomeu claims Dembele will not be on the market at the end of the season.
“Dembele leaving? It’s not on the table," he told radio station RAC1.
Ousmane Dembele has failed to live up to the hype this season
Ousmane Dembele has been linked with a loan move to Liverpool this summer
He’s an investment for the future
"We’re coming to the end of the season and after that, there will be meetings.
“He’s an investment for the future.
"He’s very young and we expect a lot from him.
"When a player comes to Barca, it’s because Valverde wants them."
The transfer rumours started due to the belief Antoine Griezmann will be heading to Barcelona next season.
The Atletico Madrid striker's arrival will make it hard for Dembele to keep his place in his side, alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.
Meanwhile, Liverpool are being heavily linked with a move for Lyon's Nabil Fekir.
The Frenchman has already met with Klopp, according to reports in France.