Journalist makes interesting Lionel Messi claim as Ousmane Dembele edges closer to Barcelona departure
Ousmane Dembele is inching closer to leaving Barcelona and the Frenchman's departure will free up some valuable funds for the Catalans. Spanish journalist David Bernabeu claims that Barca could have indeed registered Lionel Messi had he waited a little longer.
Bernabeu claims that the Catalans were well aware that Dembele would follow his agent's advice this summer and probably leave the club. They weren't too concerned with the French winger's potential departure as they are about finding a replacement for him.
If the Dembele situation had reached a resolution earlier in the summer, Barcelona could have given a clear-cut answer to Messi when his contract with PSG ended. Messi was linked with a return to Barcelona but the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner eventually chose to join MLS side Inter Miami instead.
In a joint interview with Mundo Deportivo and Sport in July, Messi was quizzed about why he didn't join Barcelona. He said:
He added:
According to Fabrizio Romano, Dembele has now agreed a five-year deal with Paris Saint-Germain. A verbal agreement has been reached with the player's agent and the Parisians will now formally inform Barcelona of the same. Both teams are likely to find an amicable way to close the deal soon.
Meanwhile, Messi has hit the ground running in the MLS. He has scored three goals and provided one assist in two appearances so far for Inter Miami.
Read on sportskeeda.com
