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Barcelona deny Dembele talks with Man Utd and expect World Cup winner to stay

Ramon Planes, technical director of the Liga giants, has sought to bring an end to speculation suggesting that a French winger could head to England

Barcelona have not held any discussions with Manchester United regarding Ousmane Dembele and expect the World Cup winner to remain at Camp Nou, claims Ramon Planes.

The Red Devils are said to have turned their attention towards the France international as the summer transfer deadline approaches.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has spent much of the window pursuing a deal for Borussia Dortmund forward Jadon Sancho.

No progress has been made there, though, forcing the Premier League heavyweights to consider alternative options.

Dembele, given his injury struggles and lack of impact at Barca, was considered to be an achievable target for United.

Reports have suggested that the 24-year-old would be open to making a move to Old Trafford, but Planes insists no such deal is on the cards.

Barca’s technical director told reporters when quizzed on the latest round of rumours: “First of all, no negotiations with Man United at the moment, completely deny that.

“He’s a player we count on, we know his potential. We hope this year the team sees the best of him.”

While seeking to bring an end to the speculation surrounding one possible outgoing, there is still plenty of talk of Barca bolstering their ranks before the next deadline passes.

Lyon star Memphis Depay has been heavily linked with a switch to Catalunya, and Planes admits every effort will be made to give Ronald Koeman the players he wants and needs.

He added, with the Blaugrana having opened their 2020-21 campaign with back-to-back victories in La Liga: “We have a good squad, who have competed very well.

“There are always teams to reinforce. We are working with the coach. Daily communication.

“On an attacking level there is great potential and, defensively, it is true that it is weaker.

“We will work until the last day to bring the best and, if someone comes, who can be good. We will not sign for the sake of signing someone. Soon there will be another market.”

Barca do have gaps to fill within their squad, with prolific frontman Luis Suarez having been allowed to leave for domestic rivals Atletico Madrid while Portuguese full-back Nelson Semedo has been sold to Wolves.

The England winger has been Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s top target for the summer but the Bundesliga side have repeatedly said he is not for sale

Borussia Dortmund have underlined their stance on Manchester United target Jadon Sancho, with sporting director Michael Zorc claiming there is nothing more to say on the matter.

Sancho has been United’s No 1 transfer target throughout the summer window, though Goal understands a formal bid has not been made at any point.

Dortmund imposed a deadline of August 10 for any deal to be completed, by which time United did not meet their €120 million (£108m/$142m) asking price.

On August 10, Zorc said the Bundesliga side would be keeping Sancho for at least another season.

“Jadon Sancho will play with us next season,” he said. “The decision is final. I think that answers all the questions.”

Now, nearly two months on, United are still believed to hold some hope of a late change in fortunes, but Zorc does not appear to entertain any notion of a surprise sale.

“Everything that can be said on this subject has already been said,” he told Ruhr Nachrichten. “Nothing will change that.”

Sancho missed Dortmund’s last game, a 3-2 DFL-Supercup defeat to Bayern Munich, through illness. Some fans took his absence as a sign that a move was on, but Zorc reiterated he was simply unavailable with a cold. Sancho and Roman Burki, who also missed out, both tested negative for Covid-19.

He said: “At the moment I don’t know [when they will return], especially with Roman. Jadon had a slight cold. We’ll see today.”

If Dortmund stick to their word and Sancho spends another season in black and yellow, it cannot be said to come as a surprise given their repeated public statements as such.

Team-mates Erling Haaland and Marco Reus have said how pleased they were to learn he would be staying, while CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke said in August that there was ‘no room for interpretation’ about their deadline for a deal.

Director Sebastian Kehl admitted Sancho may well leave the club one day, but not this year, while manager Lucien Favre has also said plainly that he would be part of his squad for another season.

United, meanwhile, are now left scrambling for an alternative. Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembele has emerged as an option in recent days, while Sevilla forward Lucas Ocampos has also been linked with a move.