Ousmane Dembélé's departure from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain still stings in the Barça environment. The Frenchman decided to activate his release clause in the summer of 2023, when the club already considered him a key piece of the project. In exchange for just €50 million, PSG managed to sign a footballer who had cost three times as much six years earlier.
Beyond the financial aspect, the problem was in the way his departure happened. Dembélé had always repeated that he was committed to Barça, but he ended up leaving without giving any convincing public explanations. For the fans, it was a betrayal, an unexpected blow that once again showed the club's weaknesses in negotiations.
The locker room still remembers that episode as an example of what can't happen again. Hansi Flick, who took over as coach afterward, is very aware of the damage that exit caused. That's why he doesn't want any other player to repeat the same story now.
Dembélé with PSG | psg
A ghost that reappears at Camp Nou
The memory of Dembélé has returned to Camp Nou, this time with another protagonist. Barça, which seemed to have learned its lesson, now faces a similar situation. A essential player for the present and future of the team has started to receive siren calls from the Premier League.
Both the board and the coaching staff have been put on alert. Hansi Flick believes that losing him would be a huge setback for the project. Joan Laporta, meanwhile, knows that the club can't keep giving the image of weakness against other European giants.
The parallel with Dembélé is inevitable: a young footballer, with great potential, and with a market willing to pay millions. The difference is that, in this case, Barça has a firmer position and doesn't plan to give him away.
Hansi Flick | @FCBarcelona
Chelsea looms large from the Premier
In recent weeks, one team in particular has shown growing interest in this young star. It's Chelsea, which is looking to strengthen its midfield with a dynamic, box-to-box profile who can score goals. Enrico Maresca, the Blues' coach, considers him a perfect piece to rebuild his squad.
The Londoners are willing to go all out to convince the player. According to sources close to the situation, they've told him that at Stamford Bridge he would have a guaranteed starting spot from day one. In addition, they've offered to double his current salary at Barça, putting it at figures around €15 million gross per year.
Chelsea has also already informally told the club that it could offer more than €50 million. This is a very significant amount in the current context of Barça, which is still going through a delicate financial situation.
Barça's stance and Flick's demand
Hansi Flick doesn't hide: for him, this footballer is untouchable and must stay no matter what. The German coach believes that he represents the club's immediate future and that he still has a lot of room for improvement. "We can't make the same mistake as with Dembélé," he reportedly told the sporting department in private.
Deco shares this view and has been blunt with Chelsea's representatives. Barça won't listen to offers below €70 million. That is the minimum figure that would allow negotiations to begin, although the club insists that it has no intention of selling him.
Laporta, meanwhile, is showing a firm stance to the public. The president wants to convey security to the fans and leave no doubts about the commitment to young talent. "He won't leave easily," sources at Camp Nou assure.
Fermín López | @_ferminlopez
The footballer in question is Fermín López, one of Barça's most important revelations in the past year. His ability to get into the box, his dynamism, and his competitive character have made him a favorite of Flick. However, his breakthrough has also put him on the radar of Europe's biggest clubs.
Chelsea is the club that has pushed hardest for him, but it's not alone. Other Premier League teams have followed his progress, although for now it's the Blues who have taken the most decisive step. At Barça, they consider him untouchable, but they know that if the offer keeps rising, it will be hard to resist.
The comparison with Dembélé has resurfaced because the fans fear another painful outcome. The truth is that Fermín is already being tempted with dizzying figures, and the board will have to resist. For now, the message is clear: he'll only leave for more than €70 million.
