Liverpool are the latest in a long line of suitors for Rennes’ young winger Ousmane Dembele, who is enjoying a breakthrough Ligue 1 campaign.
Dembele has scored 12 goals and made another five in just 24 league games this season, and at 18 years old is one of Europe’s most high-potential young talents.
The Frenchman has been subject of increasing interest around the continent as a result, with Man City, Tottenham Hotspur, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Barcelona all linked with big-money bids this summer.
According to French radio station RMC, Liverpool have now registered their interest, having scouted Dembele in Rennes’ 3-0 defeat away to Nice on Sunday afternoon.
Jurgen Klopp is claimed to be a big admirer of Dembele’s talents, and with the German looking to add quality to his wide ranks ahead of 2016/17, it is easy to see why.
Dembele is a quick, skilful forward capable of operating on either flank and behind the striker, and while he has been most often utilised on the right wing by Rennes manager Rolland Courbis this season, has been most prolific in a central role, scoring seven goals in just four games.
Three of these came in March’s 4-1 win at home to Nantes, with Dembele notching his hat-trick before half-time at Roazhon Park.
Whether Liverpool would be able to secure Dembele’s signature this summer remains uncertain, with Spurs already reported to have undergone talks to sign the winger, while the prestige of Bayern and Real could prove influential.
But with Dembele one of the finest young talents in Europe, the Reds would be best advised to make their move, with the success of Kingsley Coman at Bayern this season a useful yardstick.
Klopp has displayed a faith in youth so far in 2015/16, with Divock Origi‘s rise into the first-team ranks set to see the Belgian establish himself as a key player for the long term.
As Dembele’s strong season has proved, the confident Rennes man is ready to make the step up.
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