Fabrizio Romano has clarified the truth surrounding the meeting between Ousmane Dembele's agent, Moussa Sissoko, and Manchester City sporting director Hugo Viana.
It was the major story of Thursday. Sport reported that Moussa Sissoko, the agent of Ousmane Dembele, had recently met with Hugo Viana, Manchester City's sporting director. The revelation quickly gained traction given that contract extension talks between the European champions and the 2025 Ballon d'Or winner have been dragging.
Moussa Sissoko met with Man City's Hugo Viana
The Spanish newspaper added further fuel to the fire, suggesting that Dembele's agent was sounding out other options in case an agreement with PSG could not be reached — and that the meeting between those close to the former Barcelona man and Manchester City's hierarchy had all the hallmarks of a conversation about a potential future transfer.
However, Fabrizio Romano has since moved to play down the story. According to the Italian journalist, the meeting between Moussa Sissoko and Hugo Viana had nothing to do with a possible transfer of the French international. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano was clear: “So Sissoko went to say hi to Begiristain, discussing things, but from here to say there is a negotiation for Ousmane Dembele to join Manchester City — my understanding is no, this didn't happen.” As of now, there have been no discussions or contact on that subject between the two parties.
Dembele's Agent and Man City's leadership did not discuss a transfer
It would appear, then, that this was simply a meeting between one of football's most influential agents — whose clients list also includes Desiré Doue, Bradley Barcola and Rayan Cherki, who plays for Manchester City — and the management of a major European club, as happens regularly throughout the year.
It is worth noting that, according to the latest information on the matter, negotiations between PSG and Ousmane Dembele over a contract extension are still ongoing. There is a financial sticking point in those discussions: the club are reportedly willing to increase the 28-year-old's salary from £15m to £25m per year, with a variable component based on results and appearances played, while the player is understood to be demanding double that figure.
