Manchester United and Juventus have regularly been named as interested parties when the Catalan media has discussed Ousmane Dembélé’s future.
The winger’s current deal expires in 2022 and Barcelona retain a desire to tie him down to a new contract.
Calciomercato now states the Turin club and the Red Devils ‘have been in the front row for some time’ for signing the 23-year-old, far ahead of Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain.
The France international hasn’t yet reached an agreement for a new contract and without an extension, Ronald Koeman’s side will look to sell him in the summer.
The former Borussia Dortmund man is ‘very tempted’ to join Juve and a move to Italy can help him enjoy tax benefits in the country.
Juventus can sign the World Cup winner through an exchange deal and the excellent relationship between the two clubs can favour such an operation.
The second option is by selling one of their players for big money and having the necessary ‘liquidity’ to beat competition from Manchester United and Liverpool to acquire Dembélé’s services.
The Serie A side are ‘serious’ about the Barca wideman and ‘work is in progress’ for his signing.
Juve, however, cannot do a direct deal, like United, and this could give Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side an advantage over the Italians in landing Dembélé.
