ous the man

Barcelona director to fly to Germany next week to sign Borussia Dortmund ace Ousmane Dembele as Neymar’s replacement

Gossip

By John Hutchinson

4th August 2017, 1:44 pm

Updated: 4th August 2017, 1:45 pm

BARCELONA will move quickly to replace Neymar by launching a huge bid for Borussia Dortmund star Ousmane Dembele.

The Catalan giants have a huge hole to fill after Neymar completed a transfer record £198million move to Paris Saint-Germain.

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Borussia Dortmund’s Ousmane Dembele has been shortlisted to replace Neymar at Barcelona

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And they have earmarked Dortmund’s 20-year-old attacker Dembele as the man to fill that gap – but he could cost around £79m.

Both L’Equipe and are reporting that Barca representatives will fly out to Germany next week to tie up a deal for the exciting Frenchman.

Sports director Robert Fernandez will meet with Dortmund chiefs to try and thrash out a deal for the former Rennes winger.

A whole host of players have been tipped to be the superstar to replace Neymar, who has stunned the world of football with his move to the French League.

Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho and Chelsea’s Eden Hazard are believed to be on Ernesto Valverde’s shortlist, as well as Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann.

And unsurprisingly Europe’s most in-demand teenager Kylian Mbappe has also been tipped to make a move to the Nou Camp.

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According to , Dembele would fit seamlessly into Barca’s set up as he has similar traits to Neymar.

The 20-year-old is comfortable with the ball at both feet, can dribble at speed and is also capable of fulfilling his defensive duties.

As rumours continue to link the French international with a move away from Borussia Dortmund, the winger was involved in a training ground bust-up.

Meanwhile, Griezmann was another target, but are reporting Barcelona have no intentions of trying to sign Atleti’s talisman during their transfer ban.

PA:Press Association

Chelsea winger Eden Hazard is another who is interesting Barcelona

AFP or licensors

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Barca and Atletico share a good relationship and although Bartomeu admitted Griezmann interests Barcelona, he would not do anything to unsettle the striker and his current club.

Atletico Madrid were hit with a transfer ban which has prevented them from signing players this summer and it will be lifted in January.

During this transfer window, in an attempt to fight off interest for Griezmann, Atleti have DOUBLED their talisman’s release-clause to a whopping £170m.