Barcelona have an extra £199million in their coffers, but replacing Neymar wasn’t exactly on their agenda for this summer’s transfer window, so what to make of Ousmane Dembele seemingly being lined up as the Brazilian’s replacement?

The Borussia Dortmund star has gone slightly under the radar this summer despite a tremendous rise over the last two seasons, but now looks set to be given the unenviable job of replacing one of the best players in the world at one of its biggest clubs.

The player himself has seemingly invited interest from Barca, saying it’s ‘a pleasure’ to be linked with the Catalan giants, while earlier this week his team-mate Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang cheekily retweeted an old interview of the 20-year-old calling them his dream club back in his Rennes days.

Ousmane Dembele could be heading to Barcelona (Picture: Getty)
Barca need a replacement for this man (Picture: Getty)

But the interest is very much mutual as Barcelona look set to make him the second most expensive footballer of all time after PSG’s move for Neymar smashed the world record, so is he the real deal?

Here’s our take on the Frenchman who looks set for another step up in his rapid rise to stardom…

What kind of player is he?

A real all-rounder. Stats website WhoScored.com has him down as playing in as many as eight different positions for Dortmund last season, even popping up at left wing-back for one game.

Overall, however, Dembele looks a top talent in pretty much any attacking position, be it centre-forward, wide on either flank, or in a number ten role behind the main striker.

Not yet a particularly prolific goalscorer, but with his tremendous pace and dribbling undeniably his biggest strengths, Dembele will presumably be a direct replacement for Neymar on the left of Barcelona’s front three.

With 18 assists last season, he is also a supremely creative player with an eye for a pass that will ensure he fits in nicely with the style of play usually deployed at the Nou Camp.

Dembele looks ideal for Barcelona’s style of play (Picture: Getty)

Can he replace Neymar?

It’s a big job for one so young, but Dembele’s career has taken a very rapid upward trajectory in just two seasons and you’d have to think Barcelona is the ideal next step and perfect environment for his talents to thrive.

With Neymar not content to play the supporting role to Messi, Dembele could in some ways fit in even better than the PSG new-boy due to his unselfish style. He possesses the raw ability to do what Barca would have expected from Neymar, and could be the perfect antidote to the departing member of the MSN at this time.

Neymar will leave big boots to fill at the Nou Camp (Picture: Getty)

PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi may have called the £199m man the best player in the world upon his arrival in the French capital, but Barcelona will want to feel their decision to continue building around Messi is justified.

While the Argentine formed a fine partnership with Neymar, he could now take centre stage even more again with the arrival of Dembele likely to signal a slight shift in approach in Ernesto Valverde’s side.

Barcelona’s post-Neymar XI if they land their top targets? (Picture: Metro)

Who else is in for him?

He hasn’t been as hyped up as many of the other big names on the market this summer, but Dembele has had a long list of suitors at various points this summer, including from the Premier League.

Dembele has had plenty of admirers this summer (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal were reported as making a bid for the youngster earlier this week, while Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola was rumoured to have met with him personally for talks over a move.

As well as that, Manchester United, Chelsea and Real Madrid have shown an interest in Dembele as well, though a combination of Dortmund’s previous refusal to sell and other targets being prioritised meant the interest never developed further.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BW7xVYChB7v/?hl=en&taken-by=o.dembele7

Why him and not Kylian Mbappe?

Somewhat in the shadow of his fellow France international Kylian Mbappe, Dembele arguably looks the more well-rounded talent at this stage of their respective careers.

Mbappe has overshadowed Dembele, but Barca look like making the right choice (Picture: Getty)
Mbappe has overshadowed Dembele, but Barca look like making the right choice (Picture: Getty)

While the Monaco front-man is the more explosive talent, more prolific, arguably more impressive for being at this level despite being two years younger, and a key part of a title-winning side last season, it’s easy to see why Barcelona are attracted to Dembele.

Available at possibly half the price and proven not to be a one-season wonder, Dembele surely represents less of a gamble than the teenager being more strongly linked with Real Madrid, though there is talk he would be open to joining Barca as well.

Dembele’s stats against Neymar, Dybala and Mbappe (Picture: Squawka)

With a quick glance at his stats in comparison with Neymar, Mbappe and another rumoured target Paulo Dybala, Dembele is clearly the more like-for-like replacement for Neymar, and looks in every way like a shrewd purchase if they pull it off.

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