Barcelona general manager Pep Segura has insisted the club has no intention of selling Ousmane Dembele.
The French winger moved to the Nou Camp at the start of last season for a reported £93m but injury and inconsistent form has meant he has struggled to adjust to life at the Catalan club.
The 21-year-old has been linked with Liverpool and Arsenal in recent months but after speaking with the player’s agent, Segura has reiterated that they will not be listening to offers for Dembele.
“If you have information from the English press, ask the English press!” Segura said (via the Evening Standard). “If you have information from Liverpool, ask Liverpool! There has been nothing (no offers) for Dembele and we have no desire to change the structure of the squad.”
Despite a willingness to keep hold of their man, Barcelona have expressed concerns about Dembele’s recent attitude, with the former Borussia Dortmund man missing training last week because of a bug without informing club and going missing for an hour and a half.
But Segura isn’t worried about Dembele, feeling that he merely has to try harder at Barcelona than at other clubs.
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He added: “There is no problem with Dembele. He’s very young and he’s never had to make the effort he has to make now to adapt to Barca’s play.
“We recognise that he is finding it difficult and he himself recognises that too, but we are working to change that situation as quickly as possible.”
Dembele is in the latest France squad to face the Netherlands on Friday before taking on Uruguay in a friendly on Tuesday.
Where would Ousmane Dembele fit in at Liverpool?
Despite being such a high-profile signing for Barcelona, there would be no guarantee that Ousmane Dembele would get more minutes at Liverpool if he were to make the Anfield switch.
Jurgen Klopp is already blessed with one of the most potent front threes in world football in Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino, while Xherdan Shaqiri’s form early this season has been very encouraging.
However, considering Dembele is equally strong with both feet, the French international could easily rotate with Mane and Salah on either wing as the Reds look to go deep into the FA Cup, Champions League and mount a serious title challenge in the Premier League this season, providing immense strength in depth.
The post Barcelona chief reacts to Liverpool links with Ousmane Dembele appeared first on Squawka News.
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