What Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has said about Ousmane Dembele as he prepares to leave Barcelona

Ousmane Dembele is reportedly set to leave Barcelona after turning down a new contract.

Widespread reports in Spain suggest that contract negotiations have broken down with Barca and the forward will depart in the summer on a free transfer.

Dembele's availability will no doubt alert swathes of clubs across Europe.

The France international has disappointed at the Nou Camp since his €145 million move from Borussia Dortmund in 2017, scoring only 30 goals in 126 games.

However, on a free transfer, he could be worth a gamble given what he achieved at Dortmund and is still well off hitting his peak years aged 24.

Liverpool have been one of the clubs linked with Dembele in the past.

As recently as October, the Reds were said to be keen. Mundo Deportivo claimed that Jurgen Klopp is 'in love' with Dembele.

The Liverpool boss, the report stated, had instructed Anfield sporting director Michael Edwards to prepare negotiations.

What's Klopp said previously?

In 2018, Klopp was asked about a potential swoop for Dembele after he failed to settle in at Barca.

The German didn't hide that he was an admirer.

Klopp said: "Oooh, he’s on the market? Now I’m interested!

“Ok, I never comment on transfer rumours… I’ve already said much than I usually say.”

Past interest

Before Dembele moved to Dortmund from Rennes in 2016, Liverpool were also keen.

The Frenchman revealed he met with Klopp regarding a move but had made his mind up to join the Bundesliga outfit.

He told FourFourTwo magazine: saw Klopp in Paris but I told him I'd made up my mind to sign for BVB.”

Will Liverpool make a move?

Dembele’s said to have attracted a swathe of clubs including Bayern Munich, Manchester United, PSG, Chelsea, Arsenal and Newcastle.

On a free transfer, he would bolster Liverpool’s forward options. Many fans concur there hasn’t been sufficient competition and cover for Mo Salah and Sadio Mane.

But with Dembele being a free agent, he may look to drive up his wage demands, which the Reds may not be able to meet.