Ousmane Dembele's potential transfer from Barcelona to Manchester United has stalled, according to a report.
Aware Ronald Koeman's club has a need to move players on, United's transfer department spotted an opportunity to exploit the situation to their benefit and made a move.
Ed Woodward took the unusual step of calling Barcelona over the player's availability on loan but was told he's only available if a permanent option is included.
United have been looking for a cheaper alternative to top target Jadon Sancho after a fall out with Borussia Dortmund over the structure of the deal.
The Transfer Window podcast suggests Barca are open to doing business at the £90m mark with the Catalans looking to raise funds to plug gaps left by their gargantuan wage bill and the ravages of Covid.
Dembele is not reportedly keen on leaving Spain for Manchester and market guru Duncan Castles claims his agent requested "Mino Raiola level commission" to make the deal happen.
The Frenchman is a pacy right winger like top target Sancho and would give Ole Gunner Solskjaer many of the same qualities but he has had fitness issues since his £130m move, ironically from Dortmund, in 2017.
This makes a move unlikely, leaving Barcelona looking elsewhere for funds and United with nine days to secure the winger their boss so covets.
