As the transfer window draws closer to its end, uncertainty looms over FC Barcelona’s French winger, Ousmane Dembélé. Paris Saint-Germain is racing against time to trigger his €50 million release clause before midnight on Monday.
Barcelona is in the United States on their summer tour and preparing for the 2023-24 season. Nonetheless, until the Dembélé saga ends, the Frenchman will be away from the team.
Diario SPORT reports that the 26-year-old will not travel with the rest of the squad to Las Vegas as originally planned. While there’s nothing official yet, the absence of Dembélé from the traveling squad speaks volumes about the current situation.
Barça will travel to Las Vegas later than expected, and Ousmane Dembélé will not travel with the rest of the squad. Everyone at the club takes it for granted that he's joining PSG.
— @sport pic.twitter.com/idFc4Pohs5
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) July 31, 2023
It indicates that the player’s future may lie elsewhere, and all signs point toward PSG as his next destination. However, all this is under the premise that the Ligue 1 champions can trigger the release clause in time.
For Barcelona, Dembélé’s potential departure presents a significant blow to their squad planning for the upcoming season. The talented winger, who joined the club in 2017, has shown glimpses of his immense potential, and his departure would leave a void in Barcelona’s attacking options.
Additionally, a transfer fee would differ from what the team might expect if they put the player on the market.
Reports have revealed that if PSG successfully triggers the release clause, the player would be entitled to 50 percent of the fee, amounting to €25 million. The remaining 50 percent, also €25 million, would be paid to Barcelona.
