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We actually hate it when transfer rumours get us overly excited as more often than not we’re let down, but when a reliable, trusted Guardian journalist makes a claim – it’s difficult not to feel the buzz!
Ed Aarons published a story today which claimed Liverpool have emerged as late contenders for Rennes forward Ousmane Dembele – regarded by many as the best teenager in world football.
Aarons also sent out a tweet, which has got Reds talking all over the internet.
Am told it’s now between Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund to sign Ousmane #Dembele from Rennes. Player said to like Jurgen Klopp #lfc
— Ed Aarons (@ed_aarons) May 11, 2016
His report says that despite Dembele visiting Dortmund, liking multiple social media posts which linked him to the Germans, and telling supporters last month he “knows where [he] is going,” Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool have not given up hope – and are now BVB’s main contenders for his signature.
A phone-call between Liverpool’s boss and the French prodigy reportedly went very well, and now we’re directly competing with Klopp’s former club for the £28m rated teenager, with Dembele impressed by our manager’s vision.
Aged 18, Dembele has scored 12 goals and registered five Ligue 1 assists this year, which has naturally drawn the attention of every European giant.
Dortmund are clearly in the driving seat, but Aarons wouldn’t have published this story in the Guardian unless it had some legs. It does show that the lure of Klopp is massive, and we can be excited heading into the summer’s transfer window.
Interestingly, this may have some say on Mario Gotze’s future, too. We’re in a tug-of-war with Dortmund for the playmaker’s signature as well, so it’d be fair to assume that whoever misses out on Dembele would have a better chance with Gotze. After all, neither club needs both – especially not BVB – who already have Marco Reus, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Shinji Kagawa fighting for two spots either side of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.