PSG explain why Dembele stayed at Barcelona
FT Desk
- Updated: 23 May 2023 08:46 CDT
- 3 min read
PSG sporting director Luis Campos has explained why the club decided against signing Ousmane Dembele on a free transfer this summer.
The Ligue 1 side had seemed likely heading into the summer to sign the French winger when his contract at Barcelona expired on June 30.
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Dembele had appeared certain to depart Camp Nou on a Bosman transfer after failing to agree a new contract with Barcelona throughout the season and then subsequently falling out with directors.
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But Dembele’s entourage reopened contract talks with Barcelona once his contract expired and eventually re-signed him to a new deal.
So why did PSG not sign the wideman.
What did Campos say?
“I really like Ousmane Dembélé. He is a very good player, but he plays on the left and we play without a winger,” Campos told RMC Sport.
“When you make a team, you have to make sure everything fits together like a puzzle.
“Our attacking triangle is an upside down triangle. Mbappé is at the high point, and the other two are in support.
“It was perhaps a mistake of the past to take great players who play in the same position.”
Dembele joined Barcelona in 2017 from Borussia Dortmund in a €105 million deal but has struggled for fitness during much of his time at Camp Nou.
He has scored 34 goals in 157 games for the club.
Dembele was in action for Barcelona on Saturday as they beat Elche 3-0 thanks to two goals from Robert Lewandowski and one from Memphis Depay.
