Newcastle leading transfer chase for Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele amid contract expiring and negotiations stand-off
NEWCASTLE are preparing to splash some of their considerable cash on Barcelona contract rebel Ousmane Dembele, according to reports in Spain.
The Saudi-owned Toon are gearing up to spend big in January and have put the France winger on their shopping list, says Mundo Deportivo.
The 24-year-old's contact with the Spanish giants expires at the end of the season.
Barca have apparently made him an attractive offer to stay but Dembele and his agent Moussa Sissoko are keeping their options open.
That has opened the door for the Geordies, who have apparently made him 'an astronomical proposal'.
Mundo Deportivo report the Magpies are willing to offer Dembele £12.6million per season in wages and a chunky commission payment to Sissoko.
It would be a blow to new Barca boss Xavi, who is keen to tie the star down, despite fining him for being late for training earlier this month.
The signing of Dembele would be a big boost for the Prem-propping Magpies, who are keen to rebuild and become challengers for major honours following their £305m takeover.
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Dembele's time in LaLiga been blighted by injury following his £138m switch from Borussia Dortmund in 2017.
The highly-rated Frenchman has only netted 30 goals in 120 matches for the Catalans.
He returned to action earlier this month following a five-month lay-off due to a knee injury, before picking up yet another hamstring knock.