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- Ousmane Dembele scored Barcelona's only goal against Real Valladolid on Easter Monday

- The Frenchman scored in the late minutes of the encounter

- Koeman is however hoping he can stop the forward from leaving for another club this summer

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Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman is hoping he can convince Ousmane Dembele to extend his stay at the Nou Camp.

The Frenchman has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United this summer despite having a deal with the Catalans until the summer of 2022.

He will be allowed to sign a pre-contract with another club if he fails to sign a new deal with his present club by the end of this year.

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However, after his side's slim victory over Real Valladolid on Easter Monday, the Dutchman said openly that Dembele is important to his plan. The Dutch boss told reporters after Valladolid win and reported by Daily Mail.

"I would like Dembele to stay, he is an important player for us. Today, he has shown that with his game and the goal. The key is that he has physically improved and has been able to play a lot of games in a row."

Meanwhile, apart from the Red Devils, Juventus are also monitoring the World Cup winner's situation but Barca are preparing themselves for a potential bidding war to break out.

The Catalans signed the 23-year-old for €135 million from Borussia Dortmund in 2017 following the departure of Neymar to Paris Saint Germain.

Dembele has scored ten goals in all competitions for Barca so far in 2020/21 and is on course to break his best return of 14 goals in 2018/19, at the club in the coming weeks.

Legit.ng earlier reported that Barcelona are now just one point behind La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid following their 1-0 win over Valladolid on Monday night, April 5.

Thanks to a late strike by Ousmane Dembele who struck at the Camp Nou to move his side to within a point of the league leaders.

The Frenchman who is on the radar of Premier League club Manchester United volleyed home to help his side continue their impressive form winning all their last six games.