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FC Barcelona transfer rumour update – Ousmane Dembele and Lionel Messi

By Chiranjib Ghosh

ALTACH, AUSTRIA - AUGUST 05: Ousmane Dembele of Dortmund in action during the friendly match between AFC Sunderland v Borussia Dortmund at Cashpoint Arena on August 5, 2016 in Altach, Austria. (Photo by Deniz Calagan/Getty Images)
ALTACH, AUSTRIA - AUGUST 05: Ousmane Dembele of Dortmund in action during the friendly match between AFC Sunderland v Borussia Dortmund at Cashpoint Arena on August 5, 2016 in Altach, Austria. (Photo by Deniz Calagan/Getty Images) /
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Reports from England suggest that Manchester City can activate Lionel Messi’s release clause

BARCELONA, SPAIN – AUGUST 20: Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona thumbs up during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Real Betis Balompie at Camp Nou stadium on August 20, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN – AUGUST 20: Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona thumbs up during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Real Betis Balompie at Camp Nou stadium on August 20, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images) /

Barcelona had announced that Lionel Messi would be renewing his contract till 2021. But six weeks have passed and the Messi has not yet put pen to paper. Although he has given no indication that he wants to leave, the English media believe Manchester City want him.

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According to the Daily Record, City representatives met with Messi’s agents to discuss a possible deal. Apparently, Messi wants out because he is dissatisfied with Neymar’s departure. But the situation has changed since then.

After City’s 1-1 draw with Everton, the press asked Pep Guardiola to comment on the rumour.

"He replied, “I don’t know. Someone might have if they have the money and want to spend it.It might happen.”"

Guardiola was instrumental in Messi’s emergence as the best player in the world. The pair share a very good relationship and the Argentine maestro had earlier indicated that he was open to working with Guardiola again.

But the club does not think that the transfer will happen.

"In an interview with beIN Sports, Barcelona technical secretary Robert Fernandez said, “Everything is in place, with just the signature missing.Leo’s renewal is something we are totally clear about and we have worked on it for a long time. Everything looks very good and I would be very surprised if the signing didn’t happen.”"

And Barcelona is very correct in thinking so. Messi has committed to Barca through an official agreement and he is not the kind of person to overturn any decision.

Ousmane Dembele transfer imminent


Ousmane Dembele has been absent from training for over a week. Dortmund is fining him daily but he is unwilling to return to the club. Dembele is in France and Dortmund has contact with him only through a member of the coaching staff.

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But fear has crept in at Dortmund. Club officials Michael Zorc and Hans-Joachim Watzke have made comments on this matter, and they do not sound confident. The German club has also used some of its players to attack Dembele, including Gonzalo Castro and Sokratis Papastathopoulos.

Next: Lionel Messi dominates as Barca win 2-0 against Real Betis

But the saga will be over soon. According to L’Equipe, Ousmane Dembele will fly to Barcelona to sign a ‘long-term contract’. The report also states that the Frenchman will be presented on Thursday. The fee will be around €130 million.

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