Barcelona set tempting asking price for Arsenal target Ousmane Dembele

Barcelona forward Ousmane Dembele may be available for as little as €50m (£45m) this summer, with Arsenal and Juventus credited with an interest in the Frenchman.

The 23-year-old has had a difficult time in Barcelona since arriving from Borussia Dortmund for £100m up front, with the potential to rise to £135m, in 2017, with injury problems severely limiting his first team opportunities.

The winger has played just nine times this season, scoring one goal, taking his totals to 74 appearances and 19 goals in his near-three seasons at the Nou Camp.

Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo report that the hierarchy at Barca are still fans of Dembele and manager Quique Setien wants to incorporate him back into the team after the coronavirus hiatus, but they are also open to letting him go.

Despite costing more than triple this amount three years ago, Barcelona would be willing to accept a bid of just €50m (£45m), if the player was keen to move on.

Given his struggles with injuries and consistency, and the fact his current deal runs out in 2022, Barca are happy to cash in on him if the opportunity arises.

Arsenal are thought to hold the most substantial interest in the World Cup winner from the Premier League, while Juventus have been linked, as have Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain.

The Daily Mail also report that Barcelona are happy to let the Frenchman leave on loan as they look to get him off the wage bill and hopefully increase his transfer value by getting him some game time.

With the economic uncertainty of the coronavirus crisis, a loan deal may be more tempting than even the reasonable transfer asking price for suitors.

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