Contact: ETH personally requests Man Utd signing of 'phenomenon'; Messi says he's 'frightening'

Manchester United have initiated contact with the representatives of Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele, according to reports in Spain.

Out of contract at the end of June (Transfermarkt), the future of Dembele at the Camp Nou has never been more uncertain.

Linked with a host of the elite clubs around Europe including Premier League rivals Liverpool and Chelsea, it seems inevitable that the 25-year-old will leave the Catalan giants five years after signing for an eye-watering £135.5million from Borussia Dortmund (BBC).

However, the Red Devils could also be in the mix as Erik ten Hag attempts to strengthen the Old Trafford ranks in his first window at the helm.

As per reports in the Spanish press, Manchester United are believed to have ‘contacted’ the agent of the flying Frenchman.

It’s claimed that only a ‘miracle’ would see Dembele stay at Barcelona and as such, the Red Devils’ boss has personally ‘requested the hiring’ of the World Cup winner.

The report also states that United will put a ‘blank cheque on the table’, although the man once hailed for his ‘frightening pace’ by Lionel Messi would likely reject a move to Manchester due to the absence of UEFA Champions League football.

Despite possessing undoubted mesmerising skill and direct running ability, labelled a ‘phenomenon‘ by Messi, signing Dembele would see the wide department overflow at Old Trafford with Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Elanga and returning loanee Amad Diallo all vying for a spot on either wing.

Badly hit by injuries during a stop-start Barcelona career, the 27-cap France ace remained relatively fit throughout 2021/22 and managed 15 direct goal contributions in 32 appearances across all competitions.

Regardless of this form, even without the