With the transfer window set to enter its final month, one of the biggest deals of the summer could be on the verge of completion after Ousmane Dembele informed Barcelona that he would be interested in a move to PSG should the two clubs agree a transfer fee. The Frenchman, who joined the Spanish giants six years ago, has been weighing up a new contract offer from Barcelona but it now appears he has set his heart on a move back to his home country.
Dembele's current contract with Barcelona is set to expire next year so his agent has been in discussions with the club's hierarchy about a new deal for some time. Typically, a player who has one year left on his current deal at a club can be attained more easily and that is the case here with Dembele. However, the thing that is interesting the French champions the most is the fact that he also has a release clause in his current Barcelona contract.
The clause states that the 26-year-old winger can be bought for a fee of £43m this summer providing the bid comes in before midnight on July 31st (today). If no bid from PSG comes in today, then the release clause in his contract will double to £86m which would make a deal a lot more difficult and expensive to complete.
Does Dembele want to move to PSG?
Earlier today, it was reported by Fabrizio Romano that Dembele's agent had agreed the terms of his new contract with PSG. It comes after he had been trying to get Barcelona to agree to pay £5m-£6m more per season, something which the Catalans have refused to do.
After talks with PSG, Dembele has found that they are willing to pay him the salary that he is looking for and therefore a move to the French capital looms large unless Barcelona bring a new offer to the table in the coming hours.
Verbal agreement between Ousmane Dembélé and Paris Saint-Germain is confirmed — sealed since Sunday late night on five year deal. 🔴🔵🔒
Dembélé said yes, as revealed overnight.
It’s on PSG and Barça to find the way — Liga €50m clause set to expire in 8 hours… or another way. pic.twitter.com/zUROWKbB3i
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 31, 2023
The Frenchman has perhaps flattered to deceive at times since making his mega-money move from Borussia Dortmund to Catalonia back in 2017. Last season, he only managed to score five goals and provide seven assists in 25 league appearances while the season before he only managed one league goal.
Injuries have been a constant thorn in his side throughout his time in Spain and he probably feels like a fresh start back home is the right course of action at this point of his career.
A deal that suits all parties
It won't just be the player himself who is looking at this deal as a beneficial one. Barcelona, his parent club, won't be too disappointed to see him go after six years of inconsistency. The key for the Spanish champions will be ensuring that an adequate replacement is brought in through the door, particularly as rumours continue to circulate about their other right-winger, Raphinha.
For PSG, the deal is a much-needed one after the departure of Lionel Messi and the chaos that surrounds Kylian Mbappe. Bringing Dembele in could be seen a ship-steadying move and one that could ensure they carry on as major players in the Champions League next season.
