Jurgen Klopp will meet with Ousmane Dembele’s mother to try and convince Barcelona star to join Liverpool

JURGEN KLOPP hopes meeting with Ousmane Dembele’s mother will help convince the Barcelona star to join Liverpool, it is reported.

Klopp is thought to be keen on Dembele after he starred in his first season at the Camp Nou following his £138million move from Borussia Dortmund last summer.

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And he thinks outlining his plans for Liverpool’s future to the 21-year-old’s entourage, including his mother, may boost his chances of landing the French winger.

Klopp has been keen on him since his move to Dortmund, the German manager’s former club, from Rennes in 2016.

The potential arrival of Antoine Griezmann at the Camp Nou from Atletico Madrid is likely to give Dembele reduced playing time as he is unlikely to be selected ahead of Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi.

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But there are a number of stumbling blocks which could prevent Dembele, also a target for Arsenal, moving to Merseyside this summer, according to Mundo Deportivo.

Liverpool would need to pay in the region of £88million to land the winger, £9million less than the initial fee Barcelona paid Dortmund.

But it is understood Klopp has been told by the Anfield chiefs the only way that could be funded is by selling PFA Player of the Year Mohamed Salah.

Also, with Liverpool looking to sign a new goalkeeper following Loris Karius’ nightmare in the Champions League final, Barcelona stopper Jasper Cillessen is an option.

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The Dutch 29-year-old joined Barcelona in 2016 but made just one league appearance this season.

But it is incredibly unlikely Liverpool would be able to get both players.

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Finally, Klopp must convince Dembele, and his mother, that he can guarantee enough first-team football.

The Liverpool manager is looking to strengthen the squad at Anfield by providing competition for Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.

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But the problem is that it seems Klopp can’t have both Salah and Dembele.

He has, though, already brought in Monaco defensive midfielder Fabinho and is thought to be closing in on Lyon’s Nabil Fekir.

Sun Sport revealed that Real Madrid, though, have earmarked Klopp as their first choice to replace Zinedine Zidane at the Bernabeu.