Manchester United have initiated discussions with Barcelona over the signing of Ousmane Dembele, claims the Daily Record.
United are weighing up alternatives to Jadon Sancho after talks with Borussia Dortmund have reached impasse.
Dembele has emerged as a top transfer target for United as a result and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side want to take the winger on loan.
Barcelona are pushing for a permanent deal this summer but are understood to be open to a loan if it includes an obligation to buy at the end of the season.
Dembele has been a huge disappointment for Barcelona since his £135.5m move from Borussia Dortmund three years ago.
The France international has failed to stay injury-free for prolonged periods and Barcelona have lost patience.
Dembele does not feature in Ronald Koeman's plans for the new campaign and United are exploring the prospect of reuniting the 23-year-old with international team-mates Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial.
The France international has remarkably managed to start in just 35 league matches of a possible 114 since joinign Barcelona in 2017.
Of players that have started at least 30 LaLiga games in that time, only Leo Messi (every 17.1 minutes) and ex-United graduate Adnan Januzaj (every 23.6 minutes) requires fewer minutes per successful dribble than Dembele (every 24.3 minutes).
