Dembélé to Join Paris Saint-Germain by Private Clause

Paris Saint-Germain have activated a new 'private' clause to sign FC Barcelona forward Ousmane Dembele according to transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano.

Separately, one of the Italian's French counterparts Mohamed Boufasi, described as the most reliable source for transfer development in his homeland, reported similar news and added that Dembele is expected to switch allegiances in the next 72 hours.

A hero in El Clasico on Saturday by scoring the opening goal of a 3-0 rout against Real Madrid in Arlington, Texas on Sunday, Dembele became a villain the following day.

This was because Barca became increasingly pessimistic that their €105 million plus add-ons signing from Borussia Dortmund would join PSG through the activation of his €50 million release clause valid until midnight as July 31 drew to a close.

Dembele stayed with the 32-man squad currently on a preseason tour of the U.S. and traveled with them to Las Vegas for Wednesday's last Stateside friendly against AC Milan despite head coach Xavi Hernandez being 'very disappointed' with him according to SPORT and warning the 26-year-old not to follow Neymar's trajectory.

Remaining on the otherside of the Atlantic, and not returning home to mainland Europe, meant that Dembele wasn't able to deliver the €50 million to La Liga HQ as per the Spanish top flight rules.

The fee required to get Dembele out of his Barca contract - which expires on June 30, 2024 - has doubled to €100 million as of August 1.

Yet several sources including Romano, Boufasi and L'Equipe report that PSG will still end up paying the original €50 million.

This is because the Qatri-owned Ligue 1 giants activated a 'private clause' by sending a formal letter to the Catalans.

It makes Dembele available for the same quoted amount explains Romano, who believes the deal will be "sealed by the end of the week".

While it doesn't take a financial genius to work out that the August-valid €100 million sum would be more beneficial for cash-strapped Barca to receive than the June and July predecessor, the new 'private clause' will still be better for Joan Laporta and his board despite bringing in the same €50 million.

This is because with the original clause, Dembele and his agent Moussa Sissoko could pocket half of the money leaving Barca with only €25 million.

Under the new proposal, however, Barca can take the whole €50 million which will improve their chances of bringing in fresh faces before the transfer window closes on September 1.

With Dembele having reportedly agreed to join PSG on a five-year contract that pays him €20 million a season, Barca have five days to negotiate his exit.

August 01, 2023