Arsenal could strike blow to Spurs and West Ham by winning race for £50m ‘magic’ forward

Arsenal are reportedly ‘keeping a close eye’ on Paris Saint-Germain winger Ousmane Dembele just months after he joined the Ligue 1 giants from Barcelona.

The 39-times capped France international has appeared in six of PSG’s seven competitive fixtures so far this season and racked up his first assist as he set up Goncalo Ramos to score in Sunday’s 4-0 hammering of Marseille.

Despite enjoying a positive start to life at the Parc des Princes, Spanish news outlet El National have claimed Dembele is already ‘regretting’ his decision to join the Ligue 1 champions and ‘misses’ life with former club Barcelona.

The report could be taken with a pinch of salt after PSG manager Luis Enrique revealed his delight over working with Dembele after he backed the former Borussia Dortmund to find form over the coming weeks and months.

He said: “If I were a supporter of a team, I would pay to see Ousmane Dembele. He’s a totally different player. He is unpredictable, overflows, [and] works magic. It’s true that he may have missed things and didn’t score his first goal, but the day that happens, I’m sure he’ll score a lot later. This happens to all attackers. It’s wonderful for a coach to have a player of this quality and level available.”

The speculation over a quickfire departure from PSG has reportedly alerted a number of clubs to the possibility of making a move for the winger during the January transfer window and Arsenal are believed to be at the front of the queue as they look to hand a further boost to their attacking options.

Where would Ousmane Dembele fit in at Arsenal?

The Gunners have a number of options in wide areas, with Mikel Arteta preferring to name Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli as his main supporting cast to either Eddie Nketiah or Gabriel Jesus. However, an injury to Martinelli has led to Jesus playing in a wide position as the Gunners boss opted to name the Brazilian in his starting eleven for Sunday’s north London derby.

With the likes of Leandro Trossard and Reiss Nelson struggling to find their way into the Arsenal side, Dembele may well be viewed as an upgrade on both players and someone who can provide stern competition for Saka and Martinelli.

Who else has been linked with Ousmane Dembele?

Arsenal are not the only club mentioned as possible suitors for Dembele after two of their Premier League rivals were also said to be keen on the winger.

The report in The Mirror has suggested Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United are also considering a move for the former Borussia Dortmund star - although the report also states ‘it is unlikely that PSG would be willing to sanction a move so early in his career in France’ - meaning the Premier League trio could be in for disappointment as their moves seem destined to fail.

What has Ousmane Dembele said about life at Paris Saint-Germain?

Speaking to the Ligue 1 website last month, he said: “I want to win trophies! To make the supporters and the city proud. It’s exciting and I hope we’ll do great things. I need to be ready and to do well from the off. I can’t wait. I hope I’ll soon win a first trophy with PSG.

“It’s vital for a footballer to have the coach’s trust. I talked to the president as well, and the sporting director, and I like the project they have here. I like the coach’s playing style. We know that Luis Enrique likes attacking, possession-based football. That suits me perfectly.

“As a Frenchman who grew up in Evreux, near Paris, I’ve always talked about PSG, and I decided it’s the right moment to come to Paris and to play here in my homeland.”

How long he remains in Ligue 1 remains to be seen as speculation over his future continues.