Barcelona forward Ousmane Dembele has a €50m (£44m) release clause in his contract that can be triggered next summer, according to reports.
The Frenchman could have left the Camp Nou on a free transfer back in July but he signed a new deal keeping him at Barca. However, it seems one of the conditions for staying was including a rather modest buyout fee.
Liverpool (along with Chelsea and Manchester United) have been linked with the pacey winger in the past, and fans on Twitter have been debating whether the Reds should chance their arm and make a bid for Dembele at the end of the season:
Before yesterday he hadn’t been injured in ages, would 100% want him
— Oliver Hargadon (@oliver_hargadon) September 23, 2022
When he is fit he is really good but that injury record is scary.
— Clive Bixby’s thoughts (@ernst__domingo) September 23, 2022
Could have been bought in summer for free lol
— 💔 (@SunnySingh2k11) September 23, 2022
We want to turn our team into a nursing home or something like that I suppose.
— theGoalReal#YNWA #LFC (@gminnusah) September 23, 2022
Emmm why is he so cheap? We should get him rn
— Uwais Arshad (@ArshadUwais) September 23, 2022
we didn’t consider him for free why do that for 42m😕😕
— Obago (@Obago_1) September 23, 2022
Guy is made of digestive biscuits, free or not worth I’d say
— • (@The_Gerrard_Era) September 23, 2022
As many supporters have mentioned, Dembele’s history of injuries is likely to put off many suitors. His hamstrings have caused him no end of problems over the years and there is a danger that he would spend more time on the treatment table than out on the pitch.
You’d also have to question whether he would be interested in leaving Barcelona as he is currently a regular starter for the La Liga side.