"Could be a smart piece of business" - Steve McManaman on reported Reds target

It has been reported that Liverpool are interested in signing Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele.

The 24-year-old does possess a current market value of €50 million. However, Dembele's current contract expires in June 2022.

With that being the case, the Frenchman will be available on a free transfer next summer.

Therefore, former Red Steve McManaman would like to see Liverpool sign Dembele.

As quoted by The Sport Review, McManaman told horseracing.net the following: “If they could get him on a free contract and get the deal sorted then I don’t think there’s any problem with that.

“His wage demands would have to come under the structure of what Liverpool would like to pay but due to the fact he would be a free signing and the player knows Jurgen Klopp personally, then it could be a smart piece of business.

“He’s a very talented boy but his attitude has been questioned a lot during his time at Barcelona. He’s had a lot of injuries and he’s injured again at the moment, so his games ratio has not been good at all and that’s another thing a prospective buyer has to take into account.

“Nowadays when a club signs a player, they look into every single aspect of the player and not just what he does on the pitch.

“Liverpool will do their due diligence on him and whether they take that punt or not is another thing. However, a really talented player available on a free transfer is certainly worth a risk.”

ANFIELD WATCH VERDICT

Barcelona signed Dembele from Borussia Dortmund for a transfer fee of €135 million back in the summer of 2017. However, the winger has failed to live up to his price tag.

Dembele has only scored 30 goals and registered 21 assists in 118 appearances for Barcelona.

We believe that the Frenchman is a better player than what the aforementioned statistics suggest. There is a reason why Barcelona purchased Dembele for €135 million.

Therefore, we agree with McManaman. We would like to see Liverpool sign Dembele, especially as he is available on a free transfer next summer.

Dembele is also only 24 years of age, so he could potentially represent the club for a number of years.