After a long uncertain saga and high tension at theBarcelonaoffices, Ousmane Dembele’s next destination will be PSG.
The 26-year-old midfielder has agreed to join PSG on a 5-year Ԁєɑł until 2028, and the French club have already informedBarcelona, ɾєρօɾτs the reliableFabrizio Romano.
According toGerard Romero, Mousa Sissoko, Dembele’s agent, has called La Liga already and told that PSG would activate the player’s €50m release clause, in which he would pocket €25m.
His decision is financially understandable, since if he decided to stay after tomorrow, a new release clause of €100m would come into effect andBarcelonawould hold 100% of the amount in the event that it would be activated.
Besides, the Frenchman had requested a €6m raise on his contract, which the Catalan club also refused.
Dembele informs teammates about the switch
According to journalistHelene Condis of COPE, Dembele has already called some of his teammates and told them that he is moving to PSG.
The dressing room is said to be ‘very sad’ with the news that he is leaving, as the French winger was undoubtedly one of Barcelona’s key pieces — especially considering the fact that Xavi worked a lot on his development.
Romero also ɾєρօɾτsthat now,Barcelonawill practically start a football war against PSG.
The club will go to UEFA and demand PSG’s compliance with FFP regulations, as well as to show the origin of the French’s club economic power.
Barcelona can sign now
Barcelona have been trying to make new signings for the past several weeks, but the heavy wage bill coupled with La Liga’s regulations have been an obstacle.
However, the club can now focus on reinforcements – in which the priority is a right-back.
João Cancelo is ρłɑɴ A, with Iván Fresneda as the back-up option.
Which playersBarcelonawill sign exactly is tricky to tell at this point, as there will likely be more departures after Dembele’s exit too.
Abde likely to stay after Dembele departure
Even though it was known that the 21-year-old Ez Abde, one of Dembele’s back-ups, had already reached a verbal agreement with Real Betis, it is questionable whetherBarcelonawould let go of him after the Frenchman’s transfer out.
A transfer offer of at least €30m could change the picture, since the Catalan club is financially still in a mess and could use funds for new transfers, but whether the Moroccan will get such an offer remains unknown.
The youngster himself, however, only wants to stay if the club have confidence in him and he has options to play frequently — understandably considering that he will be competing with Ferran Torres, Ansu Fati, Gavi, and Raphinha for a spot.
