Ex-Barcelona star issues transfer advice to Man Utd, Chelsea, Liverpool-linked winger Dembele

Former Barcelona fullback Gbenga Okunowo has urged Ousmane Dembele to extend his stay at Camp Nou rather than moving to one of the English Premier League clubs interested in his signature.

Dembele's contract with Barcelona runs out in June 2022 and the Blaugrana could cash in on the France international in the summer in the event that he does not agree to renew his deal.

Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool are pushing to sign the Frenchman, and champions Manchester City have also been credited with an interest.

Asked if Dembele should sign a new deal or move to the Premier League, Okunowo told allnigeriasoccer.com : "Dembele at the moment maybe is double-minded over renewing his contract. In football as long as you have one year left on your contract he can change his mind to stay, people love him to stay in Barcelona.

"They love him so much because he is doing good football-wise not the attitude sometimes, they believe he's still young, he has a little misunderstanding, maybe he can change and they see now he's changing.

"It depends on Dembele, you cannot decide for him, he's more than 20 so he can decide if he wants to stay or he doesn't want to stay.

"My own opinion, for his own good, I like him to stay so he can continue enjoying his football because I know Barcelona is good for him to stay".

Okunowo was on the books of Barcelona for three years, joining the club at the age of 18 from Shooting Stars in his homeland, and represented the Spanish giants in La Liga and Champions League.

"Barcelona is Barcelona and the dream of every player is to play for Barcelona because when you play for Barcelona, the atmosphere, the fans, the city, it's a lovely place to play.

"It's one of the biggest clubs in the world, everybody wants to put on the jersey of one of the best clubs in the world.

"It's lovely to be here so if you have an opportunity to be here, you should take it," Okunowo added.

Okunowo was in the Barcelona side that forced Manchester United to a 3-3 draw in a Champions League clash at Camp Nou during the 1998-1999 season, and also started the home and away matches with Brondby and Bayern Munich in the group stage of the competition.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : fcbarcelona.com