Ousmane Dembele ‘asks Barcelona’s permission to speak to PSG’… as the French champions race to activate a £43m release clause in his deal
- Dembele’s release clause doubles from £43m to £86m at the start of August
- The Barcelona winger has reportedly asked for permission to speak to PSG
- Dembele reportedly hopes a deal can be agreed if the clause is not triggered
Ousmane Dembele has reportedly asked for Barcelona‘s permission to speak to Paris-Saint-Germain, with the Ligue 1 champions facing a race against time to trigger his release clause.
PSG have until midnight to activate the £43m release clause in Dembele’s contract at Barcelona.
The clause will jump to nearly £86m at the beginning of August.
According to French newspaper L’Equipe, Dembele’s entourage and PSG have agreed an outline of a four or five year contract.
The French international has now reportedly asked for Barcelona’s permission to discuss terms directly with PSG.
Ousmane Dembele has reportedly asked for Barcelona’s permission to speak to PSG
PSG boss Luis Enrique is reportedly keen to sign the French international winger this summer
Dembele is claimed to be hopeful PSG and Barcelona could come to an agreement over a transfer fee, should a deal not be completed before his release clause doubles.
The winger’s Barcelona contract expires next year and talks have been ongoing over an extension.
According to the Catalan news outlet RAC1, Dembele has rejected the latest offer tabled.
Given his contract will expire in 2024, meaning he could depart on a free, Barcelona are eager to get something for a player who cost them £135.5m to buy from Borussia Dortmund in 2017.
PSG’s newly-appointed coach Luis Enrique is keen on signing Dembele, who has played 185 times for Barcelona, scoring 40 goals and contributing 43 assists.
Six seasons with the Nou Camp club have seen him win a trio of La Liga titles and the Copa del Rey twice.
A release clause into Dembele’s contract at Barcelona will double to nearly £86m at midnight
Dembele was on target as Barcelona won a friendly stateside Clasico against Real Madrid 3-0 over the weekend.
PSG have looked to Dembele after seeing Lionel Messi depart on a free transfer this summer, while Kylian Mbappe’s future remains in the balance.
Mbappe is reluctant to sign a new deal in Paris and have turned down the opportunity to sign for the Saudi Arabia club Al-Hilal, who made a world record £259m bid.
Should Mbappe not trigger a one-year extension in his contract, the striker would have less than 12 months remaining on his PSG contract.
