Barcelona are desperate to sell forward Ousmane Dembele this January ahead of his contract expiring this summer.
Barca sporting director Mateu Alemany has confirmed Dembele “must leave the club as soon as possible” which pre-empted the club being hit with a legal warning.
Blaugrana boss Xavi Hernandez has signalled the forward’s career at Camp Nou is over as he feels cheated by the player, who was handed a final warning by the coach in what appeared to be a transfer ultimatum.
The club’s signing of Ferran Torres from Manchester City appears to be a direct replacement for Dembele, who the club are hopeful of cashing-in on this month – meaning a reduction on their wage bill and a transfer fee, albeit greatly reduced.
The Premier League is the most likely destination for Dembele due to their financial resources and scope for signing players mid-season.
Mirror Football details the three clubs where Dembele is most likely to find a new home.
Newcastle United
Following their Saudi Arabian backed takeover, Newcastle are the richest club and will almost automatically be linked to anyone in the transfer market.
Reports have claimed that the Magpies are offering Dembele a wage packet of €15million (£12.6m) per season over five years, as well as the same amount on top as an initial signing on fee.
That would be an offer that no other club is likely to reach economically, which would make the Magpies comfortably the frontrunners on that front.
However, the jury is out over whether Dembele would want to join a club battling relegation and who could be in the Championship next season.
The club have already swooped for Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood from Atletico Madrid and Burnley respectively and will be on the lookout for more deals in the closing days of the transfer window.
Man United
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Manchester United have been the club with the longest running interest in Dembele, having explored the possibility of signing him 18 months ago.
The Red Devils were in talks with Barcelona over signing the Frenchman in the closing hours of the 2020 summer transfer window before pulling out of a move.
Concerns over his injury track record, wages and the lack of a long-term commitment meant the club scuppered the deal but interest could be revived again this year.
Talk of a swap deal between the clubs for Dembele and Anthony Martial has been floated, although this may be wrought with complications.
With Martial and Jesse Lingard set to be among multiple departures from Old Trafford in the coming months, a space for Dembele may open in the squad.
Arsenal
With Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Emile Smith-Rowe, Arsenal are already well-stocked with fleet-footed attacking players with potential.
Dembele would certainly fit into this structure and aged just 24, and without a notable transfer price, he may become attractive for the Gunners.
With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on his way out this summer and the futures of Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah unclear, there is a clear need to bolster the forward line.
Arsenal are one of the few clubs who could afford Dembele, who could be attracted to their project and potential Champions League football next season.
