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FC Barcelona transfer rumour update – Ousmane Dembele and Douglas Costa

By Chiranjib Ghosh

MADRID, SPAIN - DECEMBER 07: Ousmane Dembele of Borussia Dortmund reacts to missing a chance during the UEFA Champions League Group F match between Real Madrid CF and Borussia Dortmund at the Bernabeu on December 7, 2016 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - DECEMBER 07: Ousmane Dembele of Borussia Dortmund reacts to missing a chance during the UEFA Champions League Group F match between Real Madrid CF and Borussia Dortmund at the Bernabeu on December 7, 2016 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images) /
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Bayern winger Douglas Costa set to leave after losing his spot in the first-team

LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 07: Douglas Costa of Bayern Muenchen and Francis Coquelin of Arsenal battle for the ball during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match between Arsenal FC and FC Bayern Muenchen at Emirates Stadium on March 7, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 07: Douglas Costa of Bayern Muenchen and Francis Coquelin of Arsenal battle for the ball during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match between Arsenal FC and FC Bayern Muenchen at Emirates Stadium on March 7, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) /

Douglas Costa arrived at the Allianz Arena with a bang. Bayern desperately needed a good winger following injuries to Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery and Costa stepped up. With his unmatched speed and crossing ability, he provided assists the way Ribery used to. But after the departure of Pep Guardiola, he has fallen out of favour with new coach Carlo Ancelotti.

Ancelotti seemed to prefer Franck Ribery or Kingsley Coman on the left wing. Also, the right wing spot was occupied by the duo of Arjen Robben and Thomas Muller. According to reports, Costa and Ancelotti had a conversation in February in which they agreed that Costa was to leave.

The reports have proven to be true. Bayern have put Douglas Costa up on the transfer market for a fee of €30 million. This is a bargain for a player of Costa’s caliber and many clubs are closing in on him.

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BERGAMO, ITALY – MAY 13: Gerard Deulofeu of AC Milan looks on during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and AC Milan at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia on May 13, 2017 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)
BERGAMO, ITALY – MAY 13: Gerard Deulofeu of AC Milan looks on during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and AC Milan at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia on May 13, 2017 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images) /

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One of those clubs is Barcelona. There are serious doubts about the Gerard Deulofeu deal. He is not sure of the playing time he would get at Barcelona behind MSN, as he wants to play regularly. That is why Robert is readying alternatives for a reinforcement on the right wing. And one of those players is Douglas Costa.

Costa would be a very valuable addition to the team. He can cover for both Lionel Messi and Neymar. Also, he can inject pace into the team and is very good on the counter. But he lacks goalscoring ability. But he can make up for it by drilling in balls into the box for Luis Suarez to finish. Overall, he would be excellent but there are major obstacles to the deal.

Most of the top clubs have been alerted by Costa’s decision to leave. Tottenham, Liverpool, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain are willing to match Bayern’s asking price. Meanwhile, Manchester United see him as an alternative to Antoine Griezmann, and Pep Guardiola is also looking to reunite with him at Manchester City. Barcelona will have to fight off interest from all these clubs to land Douglas Costa. But Neymar will be important in convincing Costa.

Samuel Umtiti comments on Ousmane Dembele transfer rumours


Barcelona have a reputation for using their players to coax their former teammates and compatriots to join them at the Camp Nou. Robert’s strategy with legends Xavi and Iniesta clearly indicate this policy.

Now, it’s Umtiti’s turn. The French centre-back spoke to the media after a training session with his national team.

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"He said, “We get on really well. I know Barça are interested in his profile, but all the parties need to reach an agreement.Dembele would do well with us, with the quality he has he’s capable of adding a lot. If he comes he will be welcome, but it still needs to be official to talk about that. If he comes, he can sleep at my house!”"

Ousmane Dembele is also an alternative to Gerard Deulofeu. He had an offer from Barca last summer but he joined Dortmund because of head coach Thomas Tuchel’s plans for him. According to Mundo Deportivo, he is looking for a way out of the Signal Iduna Park after Tuchel’s departure.

"He reacted negatively to Tuchel’s sacking, saying, “I’m very disappointed because he was a coach who really built my confidence. Thomas was always there for me and he taught me a lot. He is a very good coach with whom we have had many great moments.”"

Next: Review of Marc-Andre ter Stegen's season

Now, Dembele seems to be on the verge of joining Barcelona. He performed very well last season and is now a hot property. But Barca seem to be in pole position to capture his signature.

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