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18th April 2018
08:41am BST

The Independent report claims that Dembele agreed with Spurs that he would decide at the end of the season if he felt fit enough to play for another season in the Premier League.
Dembele has played in 20 of a possible 33 Premier League matches this season and has struggled for fitness on occasion since joining Spurs from Fulham in 2012. However, he has been brilliant when on the pitch. Pochettino has said Dembele is a “genius” and rated him alongside Diego Maradona and Ronaldinho as the best footballers he has worked with.
He’s arguably the opposite of a flat-track bully and has produced his best form in the biggest games. Dembele was absolutely fantastic in the away leg of the Champions League tie with Juventus, making a midfield of World Cup winners and Serie A champions look like kids playing against their older brother.
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He also bossed games against Manchester United and Arsenal and is extremely difficult to stop when at his best. The Belgian’s mix of physical strength, brilliant close control, game intelligence and dribbling prowess has made him one of the best central midfielders in the Premier League over the past few seasons.
Few other midfielders can glide by opposition players and open up games the way he does, as well as carry out the dirty side of the game, excelling at winning the ball back. Dembele may have fitness issues and is closer to the end of his career than the start, but it would be a shame for Spurs to allow such a unique player to walk away.
It could be argued that he'd make a brilliant signing for any other top-six team, particularly Liverpool or Manchester United. Both clubs need to strengthen in midfield, and Dembele is arguably an upgrade on their current crop of midfielders, even if he only has another year or two left in the Premier League.
They would also be prepared to pay Dembele more than Spurs do, particularly United, thus eliminating the financial incentive to join a Chinese Super League club.
According to The Mirror, Tottenham are monitoring the availability of Andre Gomes from Barcelona and Atalanta midfielder Bryan Cristante should Dembele leave.Explore more on these topics: