Ousmane Dembele
According to a report from Marca, Barcelona are set to be stuck with Ousmane Dembele for another season after failing to find any suitors for the 2018 World Cup winner.
The report states that the Catalans were actively looking to offload Dembele and had set an asking price of €60m. But given the financial uncertainties due to the coronavirus pandemic, no clubs have shown an interest to sign him.
Dembele signed for Barcelona in the summer of 2017 following the departure of Neymar to PSG. The Frenchman was signed for an initial fee of €105m, that could rise to €147m.
Since arriving at the club though, Dembele has flattered to deceive. The 22-year-old spent a large part of his debut season out on the treatment table, managing a paltry return of just 4 goals in 24 games.
Things seemed to be improving in his second season at Camp Nou, as Dembele managed to improve his productivity in front of goal – bagging 14 goals and setting up 9 in 42 matches.
The 2019/20 campaign has been the worst for Dembele in terms of injuries. Having missed a run of games early in the season due to a hamstring problem, the Frenchman made a return in October, but was once again sidelined in December and hasn’t been seen on the field since.
The seriousness of his injury meant Barcelona had to make an emergency signing outside the transfer window by bringing in Martin Braithwaite from Leganes. Prior to his injury, Dembele had made only 9 appearances this term, scoring a solitary goal.
It is true that Barcelona are lacking depth in attack, especially with Luis Suarez’s age starting to catch up with him. Lionel Messi has to carry the majority of the burden, with little help from marquee summer signing Antoine Griezmann. Youngster Ansu Fati has impressed in his breakthrough campaign though and should be trusted by the Catalans moving forward.
It would render them further short on options if Dembele is allowed to leave. But the fact is that the Frenchman’s transfer to Barcelona has just not worked out. Since signing for the La Liga heavyweights, the 22-year-old has succumbed to seven muscular injuries (h/t Marca), which has resulted in him missing 80 games in his time at Camp Nou.
This, from a player who was expected to replace one of the club’s best attackers in recent history is just not acceptable. Even when fit, Dembele hasn’t always convinced fully of his abilities, while there have been questions raised over his professionalism at times as well (h/t Daily Mail).
Barcelona spent a lot of money to sign Dembele in 2017, but the move has failed to pan out as envisioned. The fact that he has missed more matches due to injuries than he has played for the La Liga club should give an indication of how unreliable he is. Even when he is fit and available, the 22-year-old hasn’t been convincing enough.
Hence, it is time for the Catalans to cut their losses on the Frenchman and get rid of him in the summer transfer window.
