Man Utd transfer target Ousmane Dembele ‘given 48 hour deadline to make decision over new contract on reduced wages’
OUSMANE DEMBELE has reportedly been given 48 hours to sign a new Barcelona contract.
But the winger will have to accept reduced wages if he is to remain at the Nou Camp.
Mundo Deportivo claims Xavi Hernandez wants Dembele, 24, to stay put this summer.
The France international is in the final six months of his current deal and can agree a pre-contract with foreign clubs.
Dembele, who has failed to score in just six LaLiga outings this term, currently earns £210,000-a-week following a £135million move from Borussia Dortmund in 2017.
But boss Xavi was left ‘speechless’ when Dembele reportedly demanded an eye-watering £700k-a-week to extend his stay in Catalonia.
It’s now claimed Barca have put forward a take-it-or-leave it offer to Dembele, which would instead see him take a pay cut.
And the ace has been told he has just two days to sign otherwise it will be taken off the table.
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But with Dembele reportedly stating last month that his demands must be met in order to stay, it appears highly likely the forward will become a free agent this summer.
Manchester United are known to be big fans, and they have even been linked with a move this month which could see Anthony Martial head in the opposite direction.
Chelsea are the latest club to throw their hat in the ring, with Newcastle also interested despite the threat of relegation.
Dembele isn’t the first current Barca star to be offered reduced terms in a bid to beat their financial crisis.
Misfit defender Samuel Umtii penned a new deal this month, taking a 10 per cent hit on his £200k-a-week salary.
And the savings allowed Barcelona to register Ferran Torres following his shock £55m switch from Manchester City.
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