Liverpool firmly in the race to sign Barcelona star

Liverpool are reportedly among the top clubs in the running to sign Ousmane Dembele on a free transfer.

The Frenchman has entered the final six months of his Barcelona deal, and is free to speak with foreign clubs over a pre-contract.

Chelsea, Juventus and Newcastle United have been linked with him, but Mundo Deportivo claims that the Reds are also keen.

The Merseyside giants have a firm interest in the versatile attacker, and they are preparing a contract proposal for his services.

It was recently claimed that Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez was left 'speechless' after Dembele's staggering £700,000-a-week demands.

His agent Moussa Sissoko has since dismissed the figure, and insisted that the player's decision is not being influenced by financial reasons.

Dembele has spent much of the current campaign on the sidelines after a knee injury on international duty earlier last summer.

He only returned to first-team action in November last year. The attacker has registered one goal and two assists from 10 games.