Ousmane Dembele set to stay at Barcelona with Arsenal refusing to meet £52m transfer fee demands

ARSENAL look set to pass on the chance to sign Barcelona's Ousmane Dembele in the summer, according to reports.

The Catalan club would be willing to accept around £52million for the winger.

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But according to , the Gunners - or anyone else for that matter - are not willing to risk that amount of cash for the 22-year-old.

Dembele signed for Barca in 2017 in a deal worth up to £138m from Borussia Dortmund.

But in truth things have not worked out for the Frenchman at the Nou Camp, especially due to a number of injury lay-offs.

He has now picked up seven muscular injuries since arriving at Barcelona, with the latest one expected to keep him out for around six months from February to August.

People inside the Nou Camp, including coach Quique Setien, are thought to still have high hopes for him due to his undoubted raw talent and want to be patient.

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But there is also an understanding that his club are prepared to cut their losses by selling him for a reduced price when the transfer window reopens.

The World Cup winner's agent met with Barca last summer to discuss the possibility of his client leaving before he stayed put then got injured again.

However, the problem this summer could be finding someone to stump up the cash.

His injury record and poor form could put off any potential suitors such as Arsenal, who were understood to be interested in making a move.

Dembele has not played a match since November 27 and managed 19 goals in 74 Barcelona appearances including one in nine this term.

Another factor is the financial impact coronavirus will have on the transfer window.

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Clubs are likely to have less money to spend and therefore it is highly unlikely there will be too many massive transfer fees paid.

Reports suggest we could see a rise in swap deals, like the deal to trade Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Alexis Sanchez in 2018.

Barcelona are thought to be keen on Joao Cancelo and could offer Nelson Semedo to Manchester City for a straight exchange with no money involved.

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