Newcastle United transfer target Ousmane Dembele’s renaissance at Barcelona continued with another influential performance in the Spanish giants’ 4-0 win against Osasuna.
The 24-year-old’s contract at the Nou Camp may expire in three months’ time, but Xavi still considers the World Cup winner a key part of his side.
Barcelona’s number seven registered two assists against the Pamplona-based side and built on his impressive goalscoring contribution return in La Liga.
The former Borussia Dortmund man now has one goal and seven assists to his name from 11 top-flight appearances this season.
Drifting in from the right-hand side onto his left foot, Dembele carved open the Osasuna defence with a perfectly weighted eye of the needle through ball into the path of Ferran Torres who scored his and Barca’s second after converting a penalty earlier.
The French international registered his second assist on the night six minutes later when his pinpoint cross was prodded home at the near post by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
In the 49th minute, Dembele waltzed past two Osasuna players with a clever dummy before his goal bound effort was blocked.
Osasuna couldn’t handle the pace and trickery of Dembele who was twisting and turning all game.
Barcelona’s speedy winger also had a huge part to play in his side’s fourth and final goal.
Dembele had the vision to cleverly pick out second half substitute Riqui Puig on the edge of the box whose first time effort was initially saved, but after picking up the rebound and rounding the goalkeeper, the Spaniard slotted home to complete the rout.
Former Manchester City forward Torres praised Dembele for his performance after the game.
Torres said: “We know that Dembele can give us so much, he makes all the difference.
“He’s showing he is playing at his top level.”
Dembele finished the game with 93 touches and five chances created, as well as completing both of his attempted dribbles.
On current form, the number of interested parties who are chasing Dembele’s signature as a free agent will likely be growing with every passing game.
According to Marca, Newcastle were one of three Premier League teams who were monitoring Dembele towards the end of the January transfer window.
Newcastle have been linked with a move for Dembele ever since the club’s lucrative takeover went through.
When fit and firing, Dembele is one of a very few players who can walk into any team across Europe and improve their team.
If Newcastle wanted the world to sit up and take notice about how seriously PIF mean business, then signing Ousmane Dembele would arguably be one of the biggest transfer stories of the summer.
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