Neymar, Messi, now Wijnaldum & Dembele – it’s WAR again between Barcelona & PSG

Stefan Bienkowski

• 10 Jun 2021 18:13 BST
• 3 min read

No two clubs seem to lock horns in the transfer window quite as often as Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.

Whether it’s a case of both clubs fighting over another club’s star player or swooping in to cause trouble with each other’s players, the French and Spanish giants are constantly getting in each other’s way.

READ MORE: Four reasons why PSG were desperate to beat Barcelona to Wijnaldum

And it seems as though this summer’s transfer window will be another arena for the two clubs to lock horns and see which one can best the other.

This summer’s transfer war between PSG and Barcelona

The transfer war that is set to play out this summer actually began at the start of the year.

With Lionel Messi’s contract at Barcelona running down to its expiry date, the Argentina international was strongly linked with a move to PSG - so much so that Messi was forced to deny any deal had been struck.

Such rumours have died down since then, but it remains to be seen whether the Barca star will sign a contract extension or perhaps make the short move north to Paris this summer.

However, while that saga has gone quiet plenty more have risen up in a blaze of glory since then.

For example, the two clubs were reportedly neck and neck, fighting for Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero’s interest before Barcelona managed to tie him down to a contract. Then, just when it seemed as though Georginio Wijnaldum was set to follow the striker to Barcelona, PSG swooped in and offered him better terms to join them.

And it hasn’t stopped there. According to Marca, PSG may look to inflict further pain on Barca by enticing Ousmane Dembele back to France next summer with an improved offer on his current terms in Spain.

According to the Spanish paper, Barcelona are keen to either tie Dembele down to a new contract or sell him this summer before his current deal expires next summer. However, if the player is made aware of genuine interest from PSG who could instead run his contract down and leave for free in 12 months time.

The summer transfer window hasn’t even technically started yet, but both of these clubs are already locked in a constant battle with one another.