In the midst of the summer transfer frenzy, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has emerged as a potential suitor for Barcelona's Ousmane Dembele.
Talks between the two football giants have intensified, sparking speculations about the 26-year-old winger's future.
Dembele's journey in Barcelona since his record-breaking £90 million transfer from Borussia Dortmund in 2017 has been plagued by injuries and inconsistency.
Despite showing glimpses of brilliance on the pitch, his time in Spain has been hampered by fitness issues, limiting his La Liga appearances to a mere 127 over six seasons.
The recently concluded 2022/23 La Liga season saw Dembele struggling to secure a regular starting spot under manager Xavi, making just 16 starts and scoring five goals in 25 appearances.
Despite his lackluster performance, Barcelona initiated discussions to extend his contract, which is set to expire in July 2024.
However, the negotiations between the club and the player have hit a roadblock.
According to reliable sources, the talks have not progressed as smoothly as both parties had hoped, leading to PSG's renewed interest in the winger.
The Parisian club has been a long-term admirer of Dembele, and they see him as a valuable addition to their squad.
The French club's pursuit of Dembele is not contingent on Kylian Mbappe's potential departure.
While Al Hilal's jaw-dropping £259 million bid for Mbappe has been accepted, the World Cup star is intent on joining Real Madrid instead.
PSG's interest in Dembele is independent of Mbappe's situation, as they view him as a unique asset rather than a direct replacement for the prolific forward.
The transfer negotiations are further complicated by a release clause in Dembele's contract. Until July 31, PSG could secure the services of the winger for a fee of €50 million (£42.9 million).
However, after that date, the price tag doubles to €100 million, presenting Barcelona with a challenging dilemma.
The Catalan club is keen on securing Dembele's future, but they are also open to selling him to raise funds, considering their well-documented financial constraints.
With other young talents like Ansu Fati and Ferran Torres already available for transfer, Barcelona could use the funds from Dembele's potential sale to bolster other areas of their squad.
As the transfer window approaches its climax, all eyes are on PSG and Barcelona, eager to see how the Dembele saga unfolds.
The player's decision could impact the fortunes of both clubs, making him one of the most sought-after figures in this summer's transfer market.