Ronald Koeman insists he wants Dembele to stay at Barcelona, amid Man Utd rumours

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Bagu Blanco/Pressinphoto/Shutterstock 11845505bb Ousmane Dembele of FC Barcelona, Barca celebrates his goal with Lionel Messi and Riqui Puig FC Barcelona v Real Valladolid, LaLiga Santander, date 29. Football, Camp Nou Stadium, Barcelona, Spain - 5 APR 2021 EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists outside the EU, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images 15 in extra time. No use to emulate moving images. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications/services. FC Barcelona v Real Valladolid, LaLiga Santander, date 29. Football, Camp Nou Stadium, Barcelona, Spain - 5 APR 2021 EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists outside the EU, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images 15 in extra time. No use to emulate moving images. No use in betting, games or PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTXHUNxGRExMLTxCYPxROMxBULxUAExKSAxONLY Copyright: xBaguxBlanco/Pressinphoto/Shutterstockx 11845505bb

Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman wants Ousmane Dembele to extend his stay at Camp Nou, despite growing speculation of an uncertain future. The Dutchman has issued a plea to his attacker to stay at the club.

The France star could see his Barcelona contract expire next summer, with the La Liga giants put in an awkward position ahead of the upcoming transfer window. Barcelona already have financial problems and that could make it a good time for United or another interested club to approach Dembele.

Koeman has moved to shore up Dembele’s position at the club by publicly stating how much he values the player after he scored a 90th minute winner against Valladolid on Monday night.

“I would like Dembele to stay, he is an important player for us,” the Dutch boss said (via Marca). “Today, he has shown that with his game and the goal. The key is that he has physically improved and has been able to play a lot of games in a row.”

According to the Daily Mail, Manchester United and Juventus are poised to be frontrunners in the race for Dembele’s signature.

The French winger has scored 10 goals in all competitions for Barca so far in 2020/21 and can still break his best return of 14 goals in 2018/19.

Read more: How Manchester United missed out Karim Benzema transfer

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