Newcastle United are in 'pole position' to land Ousmane Dembele on a free next summer after Saudi-backed Magpies table 'astronomical offer' for Barcelona star

• Newcastle United are reportedly in 'pole position' to land Ousmane Dembele 
• The 24-year-old's contract with Barcelona is set to expire next summer
• Reports in Spain suggest that the Magpies have made an 'astronomical' offer 
• Manchester United have also been linked with injury-hampered attacker 

Newcastle United have tabled an 'astronomical offer' to sign Ousmane Dembele on a free next summer, putting the Magpies in 'pole position' and ahead of Manchester United in the race for the Barcelona star, according to reports.

Despite the best efforts of new boss Xavi, Dembele, 24, is yet to put pen to paper on a new deal to keep him at the Nou Camp beyond next summer, with his current contract set to expire at the end of the season.

Barcelona have already put forward their best possible offer for the Frenchman, with Xavi vowing to Dembele that he will become one of the best attackers in the world if he stays at the Nou Camp.

However, Mundo Deportivo reports that Dembele is moving closer to a Premier League switch next summer. 

Man United have long been linked with a swoop for the 24-year-old, and he remains one of their main targets next year, but it is the newly-rich Magpies that are going all out for Dembele.

The Spanish report suggests that Newcastle - who are backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund - have tabled an 'astronomical offer' for Dembele equating to €15million (£12.73m) a year in wages as well as a €15m (£12.73m) bonus for moving to St James' Park. 

There are 34 days until Dembele can begin formal negotiations with a view to entering a pre-contract agreement, but it is understood that the financially-stricken Catalonians will not be able to match that offer.

Barcelona signed Dembele in a £96m deal back in 2017, but the former Dortmund star's spell at the Nou Camp has been blighted by persistent injuries.  

For now, Newcastle's focus will be on retaining top flight status if they are to convince the likes of Dembele to move to Tyneside next season. 

The winless Magpies are rooted to the bottom of the table and new boss Eddie Howe has been tasked with staving off the threat of relegation.