Barcelona identify Neymar replacement

Barcelona have quickly identified Borussia Dortmund youngster Ousman Dembele as replacement for Neymar, who has joined PSG.

Neymar completed a sensational move to PSG for a record-breaking €222million and the Catalan side, now flush with cash, are set to go in for Dembele, who they see as a perfect replacement for the departed Neymar.

There is already contact between the 20-year-old Borussia Dortmund winger and Barcelona technical secretary Robert Fernandez because they made a move for the France international last summer when he would have cost them just €15m (£13.5m) from Stade Rennes.

This summer, after a good season in Germany, his price had rocketed to €90m. And now that Barca havethe Neymar money, another €10m has been added, making it €100m (£90m) for a talented prospect who has made seven appearances for his country, scoringone goal.

That is not likely to put them off. Dembele is quick, two-footed and will be willing to work. He will have French team-mate Samuel Umtiti to take care of him as he settles and he will cost Barcelona less than halfthe wages it would have taken to keep Neymar.

The problem will be Dortmund’s reluctance to sell. Barcelona could offer them Gerard Deulofeu to sweeten the deal but if they did that they would have to pay a penalty fee to Everton after buying the winger back from them this summer on the basis thatthey would not sell him in the first year.