Ligue 1: PSG to activate Barcelona’s release clause for Ousmane Dembele

Ligue 1 champions, Paris Saint Germain (PSG) are reportedly set to sign Barcelona star Ousmane Dembele. 

RMC Sport reported that PSG will be completing the deal for Dembele as soon as possible before his current £43 million release clause jumps to £86m (€100m/$108m) on Monday, July 31. The Parisians are ready to pay the full amount, however, it is understood that only half of it would go to the Barcelona coffers, with the remainder being paid to the player and his agents.

Barcelona have reportedly tabled a new deal for Dembele, but the Frenchman is yet to make his decision.

The former Borussia Dortmund winger joined the Catalan giants in 2017 for a fee of around £120 million, but has failed to live up to his price tag. He managed just five league goals last season and was often used as a substitute by Barca boss Xavi.

Some French publications reported that PSG are confident that the player is more attracted by their project. There are still details to be sorted out but negotiations between the player’s agent, Moussa Sissoko, and Luis Campos, the PSG sporting director, are positive.

If the deal is completed, Dembele who has made 185 appearances for Barcelona and also won three La Liga titles will become the latest arrival at PSG, who have already signed Marco Asensio, Manuel Ugarte, Lucas Hernández, Cher Ndour, Lee Kang-in and a new manager, Luis Enrique.

PSG’s desire to close Dembele’s signing comes on the back of fears over the continuity of Kylian Mbappe. It was also reported that the arrival of Ousmane Dembele is independent of Kylian Mbappe’s future at PSG as the club want the French duo on either flank along with a top striker who is yet to be recruited.