Welcome back to Failed Football Transfers, where we break down the most high-profile transfers that simply didn’t live up to the hype. Today, we’re tackling another costly Barcelona blunder - Ousmane Dembele’s move from Borussia Dortmund to the Catalan giants. How did this exciting young winger, hailed as one of the most promising players in world football, become yet another tale of disappointment at the Camp Nou? Let’s dive in.
In 2017, after Neymar’s record-breaking departure to Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona were desperate for a statement signing. With Liverpool repeatedly rejecting their advances for Philippe Coutinho, they turned to Borussia Dortmund's rising star, Ousmane Dembele. At just 20 years old, Dembele had already set the Bundesliga alight, impressing with his electric pace, dazzling dribbles, and eye for both goals and assists.
Barcelona splurged €105 million upfront, with potential add-ons pushing the fee to €147 million - making Dembele the joint second-most expensive transfer at the time. But disaster struck almost immediately. Just weeks into his debut season, a severe hamstring injury sidelined him for four months, the first of many injury woes to follow.
Instead of being Barcelona’s game-changer, Dembele became the club's most expensive frequent flyer - straight to the treatment room. From hamstrings to knees and everything in between, it felt like his most consistent performances were on the hospital bed rather than the pitch. At some point, it seemed like his locker should have been stationed at the hospital instead of the dressing room.
Though he had moments of magic - like his stunning goal against Tottenham in the Champions League - Dembele couldn’t string together enough form to justify his price tag. His fitness issues were compounded by off-field controversies. Whether it was turning up late for training or lifestyle choices that raised eyebrows, his discipline didn’t help his cause.
Despite all this, Dembele did show moments of promise. In the 2021-22 season, he led La Liga with 13 assists and spent only 25 days sidelined - finally giving Barcelona a glimmer of hope. But just when things seemed to be turning around, more injuries derailed his progress.
Over his six years in Catalonia, Dembele missed 141 games, spending nearly 800 days unavailable due to injury. By the summer of 2023, Barcelona’s patience had worn thin.
Dembele moved to PSG for €50.4 million, once again filling the void left by an outgoing Neymar. But the move didn’t come without its poetic twist - Dembele, like Philippe Coutinho before him, would later face Barcelona and deliver a humbling blow, scoring twice in a six four aggregate win in the Champions League quarterfinal.
Ousmane Dembele’s transfer to Barcelona is now etched as yet another chapter in the Catalans’ growing list of big-money signings that failed to live up to the sky-high expectations.
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