Ousmane Dembélé is as elusive on and off the pitch. This is what the leaders of FC Barcelona must have thought, who often broke their teeth on the file. It was thus necessary to wait for the last moments in 2022 to seal a contract extension. Which, in the end, resulted in a departure in 2023. The representative of Ousmane Dembélé, Moussa Sissoko, had added a release clause of 50 M€ (to be divided between the club and the player) valid until July 31. Barça thought they had done the hardest part by extending it until 2024, but this clause upset the initial plans and the story took a completely different turn.
Ousmane Dembélé certainly enjoyed playing under Xavi during the 2022-203 season. In confidence with the Spanish coach, he has always kept the preference of Xavi who considers him the best in the world in his position. So how did we get here? There is of course the existence of this famous clause, but that is not all.
The clause that kills and the ambition that betrays
It may even be Barca’s ambition that sparked the hostility. According to our information, a very reputable agent went to see the Parisian leaders to offer them an astonishing deal: an exchange between Mbappé on one side, and Dembélé + Raphinha + Gavi on the other. Proof that Barça tried to snatch Mbappé from his Madrid rival. PSG declined the proposal, not being interested in the last two players mentioned. But he winced at the presence of Ousmane Dembélé in the list.
Because Dembélé has been in the Parisian sights several times in recent years. As the agent in question had suggested that the players mentioned had agreed to join the French capital, the club therefore contacted the representative of the international tricolor to take the temperature directly.
PSG knew how to do it well
As in 2019, when Dembélé was included in the attempted deal to bring Neymar back to Catalonia, the French player’s clan exposed the situation well by making it clear that if Dembélé were to leave, it would only be on a dry transfer. , not a loan or an exchange. Much more concerned than in the past, PSG took the time to outline its project, in which the winger would be a pillar of the attacking sector, with the objective as always of seeking the Champions League.
The player was convinced, but he still wanted to take the time to discuss with his coach at FC Barcelona, Xavi. This discussion took place during the internship in the United States, and Xavi, who intended to rely on him, resigned himself to the situation. Although he initially did not want to take part in the friendly match against Real Madrid, the player agreed to play and even scored the first goal. Probably his last with the Catalan club.
After several foot calls and inquiries, Paris Saint-Germain this time knew how to jump at the best moment and seduce the French international, who will find some teammates from the national team, such as Lucas Hernandez and Presnel Kimpembe. As for Kylian Mbappé, he may not meet him for very long, unless there is yet another turnaround.
