Ousmane Dembele 'could join Manchester United on a free transfer next summer'

Manchester United could reportedly sign Barcelona attacker Ousmane Dembele on a free transfer next year.

The 24-year-old was a regular for the Catalan giants during the 2020-21 campaign, making 44 appearances in all competitions, contributing 11 goals and five assists in the process.

Dembele then travelled to Euro 2020 with the France squad but saw his tournament come to an end against Hungary on June 19, having suffered a serious knee injury.

The World Cup winner has since undergone surgery, which has ended Man United's chances of signing the attacker during this summer's transfer window.

Dembele's contract at Camp Nou is due to expire next June, though, and it is understood that he is reluctant to pen a fresh deal with the terms currently on the table.

According to Mundo Deportivo, the Frenchman's agent could decide to delay negotiations to allow his client to agree a pre-contract with a foreign club in January 2022.

The report claims that Man United are in the running to sign the former Rennes youngster on a free transfer, while Juventus are also keeping a close eye on developments.

Dembele has scored 30 goals and registered 21 assists in 118 appearances for Barcelona since arriving at the Catalan club from Borussia Dortmund in August 2017.