Nobody likes to admit it, but Ousmane Dembele’s $140 million move to Barcelona in 2018 would never have happened if Barca had a different president. Josep Maria Bartomeu was the president of Barcelona from 2014 to 2020, overseeing the club’s day-to-day operations, including transfers and sponsorship deals.
The president came under heavy criticism for mishandling the club’s finances after being exposed by the global pandemic in 2020. He was forced to resign after it became obvious the club was in a huge debt. One of the highlights of Bartomeu’s tenure was the sale of Neymar to PSG for a world-record fee, with the club using the money to sign Phillipe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele, two transfers that didn’t work out for the club.
Xavi confirms Ousmane Dembele exit
Barcelona’s retired legendary midfielder Xavi was brought back as a manager to take the club back to the top of Spanish and European football, and the Spaniard immediately liked Ousmane Dembele. The manager played a huge role in convincing the Frenchman to pen a new two-year deal with Barcelona last year. However, in the Frenchman’s contract was a $55 million active release clause that only expired on July 31, 2023.
Xavi: “Ousmane Dembélé told us that he wants to leave and join PSG. We can’t compete, PSG bid is huge and out of the market — he spoke to Luis Enrique and Al Khelaifi”. 🚨🔵🔴
“It hurts me because we took care of him to make him happy here. But we can’t compete, he’s leaving”. pic.twitter.com/n2BlEcYIUa
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 2, 2023
PSG saw this as an opportunity to sign the Frenchman to replace Kylian Mbappe, who has refused to sign a deal with the Ligue 1 side. Xavi has now expressed his disappointment at Ousmane Dembele for betraying the club’s trust in him.
Speaking in an interview posted by Fabrizio Romano, the Barcelona manager said: “Ousmane Dembele told us that he wants to leave and join PSG. We can’t compete because PSG’s bid is huge and out of the market. He already spoke with Luis Enrique and Al Khelaifi.”
“It hurts me because we took care of him to make him happy here, but we can’t compete, he’s leaving,” the manager concluded.
Ousmane Dembele $54M contract details
Ousmane Dembele will reportedly be one of PSG’s highest-paid players when he joins the French giants later this transfer window. According to L’Equipe through Sports Manor, the former Borussia Dortmund winger will reportedly earn more than $21 million yearly at PSG.
This is a huge rise from what he’s currently earning at Barcelona, a reported $290,278 weekly wage. Ousmane Dembele will be part of the new PSG team that Luis Enrique will hope to lead to the Champions League title next season. The French giants have missed out on the continental trophy despite building an all-star team last season, with Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos in their ranks.
Will PSG be able to win the much-coveted Champions League next season? Let us know in the comments section.
