BARCELONA

Barça could lose Dembélé for just 25 million euros

Friday’s report by AS and new information released by RMC has Barça on full alert. PSG are believed to be ready to pay the player’s clause before 1 August.

Joan M. BascuDiarioAS

PSG’s pursuit of Ousmane Dembélé, as reported Friday by AS and confirmed and taken even further by RMC, which assured that the French club will pay the winger’s clause of 50 million euros, before 1 August, when it will rise to 100 million, has Barça on tenterhooks. The squad landed in Texas this weekend with French winger as the main protagonist. All cameras were pointing at him when the team arrived at the Thompson hotel in Dallas. Dembélé, as elusive as ever, lost his way meandering through the parking lot until he reached the hotel reception.

The news published by AS reached the Barça expedition in Los Angeles, just before they set off for Dallas. It was received at breakfast with surprise, at least apparent surprise, by football director, Mateu Alemany, and by Xavi, the person who has always staunchly defended Dembélé. From within the club, the message being maintained is that there has been no news from PSG or from Dembélé's representative, Moussa Sissoko, but it is thought that the murmur of interest from the Parisian club had been heard in recent days.

Although Dembélé is a mainstay for Xavi, Barça would be willing to negotiate with PSG from 1 August due to their delicate economic situation and, taking into account that on that day, the player’s buy-out clause will rise to 100 million euros. Selling Dembélé at a price would would help them strengthen their financial position - and their chances of realizing the dream signing of Bernardo Silva, who the coach has requested. The salary margin would also be increased.

Worst case scenario

However, Barça’s fear is that something similar to which happened with Neymar could be repeated - that the player could suddenly decide to leave, but leaving a lot less cash than the Brazilian did. If PSG pays Dembélé's buy-out clause before the 1 August deadline, 25 million euros of the 50 million total would go to straight to Dembélé. At least Neymar’s departure left 222 million euros in the coffers.

Dembélé's is a completely different case”, they recognize from within the club, admitting the uniqueness of the player and his agents; which was confirmed in the surreal negotiation of his last renewal, which included removing him from the team for ten days (Barça were eliminated from the Copa del Rey) until Xavi urged Alemany to close a deal with the French winger to avoid a dressing room revolt. Dembélé continued playing, won back the affection of the fans and ended up renewing until 2024. One and a half years later, Dembélé has provoked a mood of uncertainty once again.

The 26-year-old’s case is a curious one. Despite being the third longest-serving player at Barça, he is not one of the four captains. He doesn’t possess those leadership qualities. However, he is loved by all of those around him. “Hopefully he doesn’t leave because he is a key player for us. And the most decisive. I hope the rumors don’t go any further,” said Sergi Roberto in a message that was sincere without sounding forceful. The next three days are going to be tense at Can Barça...

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