Southampton transfer target Moussa Dembele seems certain to leave Olympique Lyon this summer and return to the Premier League, but it seems that it will be a last minute departure with both club and player seemingly holding out for the best deal.

The Moussa Dembele saga seemed to have gone cold in the last couple of weeks, however there has been a surprising new development with Manchester United being touted as about to launch a bid for the striker.

The Manchester Evening News claim that Dembele's representatives have been contacted by United's about the potential for a move to Old Trafford.

The Paper goes on to say that several clubs are monitoring Dembele while the frontman is understood to have turned down Everton this summer amid further interest from Villarreal and other European teams. Sources close to Dembele suggest he will only move to the 'right club' and on terms which suit his ongoing development.

This doesn't sound good for Saints with the number of high profile clubs being linked especially United, but the glimmer of hope is in the final sentence of the above paragraph, would joining Saints be a good step in his ongoing development rather than Everton & United, two clubs in turmoil where expectation is high.

In truth i am surprised that Manchester United are interested, with a year left on his contract Dembele is priced to go, but even allowing for that his transfer value is still only around £20 million even with a couple of years left.

Would United fans really feel that their club is moving forward if they are trying to buy strikers in this price bracket.

I feel in this one there is a little bit of hype from both Olympique Lyon trying to drum up interest and a bidding war, as well as the players agent, who will be trying to push up his client's potential salary as well as find him a bigger club than currently being linked.

Either way it is not good news for Saints who if they want Dembele could find themselves going right to the last days of the transfer window.

Photo: Action Images

highfield49 added 10:05 - Aug 17 Clearly the majority of players are flattered by choice of clubs and expanding bank balance but I don't think that this sort of touting around makes players more desirable from a supporters perspective. If he now signs for Saints it'll look like a fall back position rather than a desired move and suspicion that wearing our shirt is not one of his career priorities or ambitions. Only a few days ago I was really hoping that he'd sign for us, now I'm thinking that whoever he signs for is buying lifestyle ambition rather than commitment to the club.

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darthvader added 10:52 - Aug 17 Yeah move on. Don't waste any time on this player of this is right then even if we do sign him he will be sulker
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TeamCortese added 11:08 - Aug 17 Yeah completely agree. It's a privilege to play in the EPL and it's clear that Dembele thinks he's better than he actually is. The reality is he's had a decent stint in a farmer's league (Ligue 1). We need people who want to grow as players and understand what it means to earn a move to a so-called bigger club....
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WestSussexSaint added 11:55 - Aug 17 “Move to the right club that suits his ongoing development” reads to me like “which club will provide the biggest financial package.” Man U’s interest will largely depend on whether Ronaldo stays or goes. If he goes then I expect their interest in Dembele will be serious and we won’t get a look in. Everton are being linked with every striker as they are desperate and have funds to waste on any player whether suitable or not. If we do sign Dembele we will know he is here because he has put career development ahead of short term financial gain.

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Block8 added 12:12 - Aug 17 “Move to the right club that suits his ongoing development”? He's 26 not 19 and as above I think this may well be financial development! Lets keep Che spend decent money on a centre half, use Aribo as a no 10 or striker if required & promote Sam Bellis to the first team squad?
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WestSussexSaint added 12:42 - Aug 17 Just ready that Man City have finalised a deal for Delap to go to Stoke on loan. Why we haven’t been able to trump Stoke for this player is unknown but perhaps it puts more emphasis on Saints making a play for Dembele.
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ItchenNorth added 13:51 - Aug 17 WestSussexSaint, my understanding is the Saints want to buy Delap, not take him on loan. City don't want to sell him as they see him a a real talent, so a loan to Stoke works for City.
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Block8 added 14:50 - Aug 17 WestSussexSaint adding to Itchen North his dad (Rory) played for Stoke for quite a while. Also City believe, probably correctly, that Liam will get more game time at Stoke.
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JoeEgg added 15:15 - Aug 17 " Also City believe, probably correctly, that Liam will get more game time at Stoke." You mean he faces such stiff opposition at St Marys! Why a surprise that Man Utd are interested? Wasn't McCarthy also a possible target or have i got the wrong club! Time running out for us and I have a feeling there aren't too many players ready to do a deal with Ralph. We shall see.
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mattthelegend added 16:39 - Aug 17 Not liking the sound of Dembele, doesn’t sound interested in us at all and a bad attitude. Have heard we are progressing with this rumour Benfica striker Goncalo Ramos.
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