Why was Ousmane Dembele at Sunderland v Sheffield United?

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 16 Mar 2023 09:26 GMT
• 3 min read

Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele went viral on Tuesday following his surprise appearance at the English Championship match between Sunderland and Sheffield United.

The France international star was pictured watching on at the Stadium of Light, wrapped up well against the elements as he took in a 2-1 defeat for the Black Cats.

EXCLUSIVE: Dembele in talks with Barcelona over fresh deal

He saw compatriot Edouard Michut, on loan from PSG, open the scoring for Sunderland before James McAtee levelled in first-half stoppage time. Tommy Doyle grabbed the winner for the second-placed guests after the break to land another blow to the Wearside outfit’s hopes of reaching the playoffs.

But while the home fans were left to digest this setback, social media was more interested in the presence of Barca winger Dembele in the crowd.

MORE: Ousmane Dembele’s TWO release clauses revealed

Dembele’s relationship with Kyril Louis-Dreyfus

Although there is speculation over Dembele’s long-term future at Barcelona, it’s fair to say that the 25-year-old, who is out of contract in 2024, will not be moving to Sunderland in the summer – even if they somehow rally to achieve promotion to the Premier League.

The answer to the player’s presence at the match is, instead, held by Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, who is the same age as the player.

The pair have been friends for some time, having been pictured together in Miami in 2018.

It was notable that Dembele was pictured next to the Sunderland owner in the stands, and this was presumably no more than a social visit for the former Rennes and Borussia Dortmund attacker.

The Frenchman has been out of action for Barcelona since January because of a hamstring complaint and was expected to have returned to action by now. His presence in Sunderland, therefore, adds some doubt over whether he will be available for El Clasico against Real Madrid on Sunday.

In the longer term, Dembele is not certain to stay at Barcelona. The club are fighting to have him sign a new contract that would see a clause that could allow him to leave for €50 million in the summer eradicated. With Barca also needing to make cuts in their wage bill, though, the situation is delicate.

One thing is for sure, though: he will not be making a summer transfer to Sunderland, despite Tuesday’s images.