Liverpool's Dembele talks as Klopp pays 'great attention' to Barcelona star

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is reportedly keeping tabs on the situation surrounding wantaway Barcelona star Ousmane Dembele in what could be one of the shock moves of the January transfer window.

Dembele has endured a torrid time at the Camp Nou since he made the switch from Borussia Dortmund in 2017 - spending the bulk of his time in Catalonia on the physio's table.

The 24-year-old has not kicked a ball competitively since Euro 2020 with France, but is expected to return to action following the conclusion of the current international break.

Barcelona find themselves in the worst situation of their recent history, with a perilous financial outlook paired with disastrous performances on the pitch.

Ousmane Dembele has been injured for much of his four-year stint at Barcelona ( Image:

SIPA USA/PA Images)

Ninth in La Liga, with two successive 3-0 defeats in their opening two Champions League group stage games - it is hoped Dembele's return could inspire some kind of boost in form for the struggling Spanish giants.

However, the Frenchman's current contract expires at the end of this season - with a number of European outfits circling, well aware Barca can not afford to sell him for anywhere near as much as they paid.

The Camp Nou hierarchy can be questioned for many of their decisions in recent years, but forking out €105m plus €40m in add-ons for Dembele is one of their more questionable calls.

Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo claim that Barca are wary of Dembele's agent, who is said to be offering his player to multiple sides on the continent - including Klopp's Liverpool.

While Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain have taken notice of Dembele's situation, it is thought to be Liverpool who are the most keen on a move for the winger having monitored him for several years.

The same report explains how Klopp is following Dembele with 'great attention' as he has a 'crush' on the player he once tried to bring to Anfield before the talent favoured Borussia Dortmund.

Prior to Dembele's Bundesliga switch in 2016, a number of Premier League sides wanted to secure his signature - but the former Rennes star confessed "I saw Klopp in Paris but I told him I'd made up my mind to sign for BVB."

HAVE YOUR SAY! Should Liverpool look to sign Dembele in January? Comment below.

Jurgen Klopp is thought to be very interested in the idea of signing Barcelona star Ousmane Dembele ( Image:

AFP via Getty Images)

With a number of Liverpool's current attacking options both ageing and entering a crucial stage of contract negotiations, it is little wonder why Klopp views Dembele as an exciting option to lure to Anfield.

Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and talisman Mohamed Salah are all 29 years of age and out of contract in two years time - meaning this summer marks a crucial 'keep or sell' stage.

Should Klopp wish to cash in on any one of his trio of stars, Dembele - providing he stay fit, would be a more than adequate replacement.