‘The new hero’ – Newcastle initiate contact for big January signing, both clubs have desire for deal

Ousmane Dembele’s situation at Barcelona is this week edging into exit territory.

Of course, we’ve all been here before, but the Catalan press are now pushing the line that the Blaugrana have had enough, their patience has run out, and they’ll look to sell the Frenchman before the end of the January window.

Dembele’s contract at the Camp Nou expires at the end of the season, and therefore if there’s no renewal, this is the last chance for Barcelona to make any money from him.

There’s been various claims this week, including that the player has been offered to Newcastle United and Manchester United for €20m, and now Sport further cover the Magpies situation.

They say contacts have already begun between Barcelona and Newcastle, and both clubs are interested in getting a deal agreed before the end of the winter market.

Dembele would be Newcastle’s equivalent of Robinho, with the Brazilian moving to Manchester City when they were newly rich. According to the report, Eddie Howe’s club see the player as ‘the new hero’ who can arrive and save the club from relegation to the Championship.

That’s how Newcastle will try to sell the transfer to Dembele, along with a great big pile of money, of course.