Neymar’s potential move to Barcelona has hit a snag as their forward Ousmane Dembele has allegedly rejected the opportunity to go to PSG in a swap deal.
In one of the longest-running transfer sagas of the summer, Brazilian star Neymar is reportedly desperate to go back to Spain to either his old side Barcelona or their bitter rivals Real Madrid .
PSG are also willing to let Neymar leave after growing tired of his poor attitude and injury problems, but they are holding out for a deal that suits them.
One of the options they are exploring is receiving a player in return as well as cash, with the likes of ex-Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho and Portuguese right-back Nelson Semedo being linked.
(Image: AFP/Getty Images)
But according to French publication L’Equipe Dembele will not be the player to make way after he turned down the chance to move back to his native country.
PSG sporting director Leonardo is known to be a big fan of Dembele, who has not always impressed at the Nou Camp following his £135.5million move from Dortmund in 2017.
Their manager Thomas Tuchel also knows Dembele well from his time at Dortmund, however it is thought the 22-year-old is determined to stay at Barcelona and fight for his place in the team.
(Image: AFP/Getty Images)
After a poor first season at the Catalan club Dembele improved during the last campaign, scoring 14 goals in 42 appearances in all competitions.
He reported back to pre-season a week before his teammates during the summer in order to try to prove a point, and many believe this could be the season where he truly becomes a star at the Nou Camp.
Dembele should play a role in Barcelona’s opening game of the new La Liga season on Friday night when his side take on Athletic Bilbao.
