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FC Barcelona Target Borussia Dortmund Star Ousmane Dembélé - Report

What’s the truth behind this report?

Real Madrid CF v Borussia Dortmund - UEFA Champions League Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

Barcelona are looking to sign young Borussia Dortmund star Ousmane Dembélé this summer, says German newspaper Bild. The report says the 19-year-old French winger had previously rejected the Catalans in the winter, saying he was looking for more playing time than Barcelona could offer. But now, sporting director Robert Fernandez is making another approach for next season.

Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke told Sky Sports that the player was not going to leave next season, while sporting director Michael Zorc added: "one day he may play for Barcelona, but not next season."

The key question might be how would he fit into Barcelona’s squad. It’s hard to see him getting too many minutes with Luis Suárez. Lionel Messi, and Neymar still on the team... unless he could operate in Rafinha’s place in a 3-4-3?

Surely Dembélé looks at another young forward who moved to Barcelona and saw his playing time plummet - Paco Alcácer, that is - as a cautionary tale.

The question may come down to who the next Barcelona manager is, and what kind of system they plan on using.

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