Paris Saint-Germain have completed the signing of France international Ousmane Dembele from Barcelona.
The Athletic reported last month that Dembele, who had a €50million (£42m) release clause in his contract, had decided he wanted to join the French champions.
Barcelona then received a formal letter from PSG earlier this month, stating their intention to pay that sum and asking for permission to discuss terms with Dembele.
He has signed a five-year contract in the French capital and will wear the No 23 shirt.
“I’m delighted to be joining Paris Saint-Germain and can’t wait to play for my new club,” he said. “I hope I can continue to grow here and make all the club’s fans proud.”
🔴 #WelcomeDembélé 🔵 pic.twitter.com/oStfNucixm
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_inside) August 12, 2023
Club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi added: “We are delighted to welcome Ousmane Dembele to Paris Saint-Germain where he will be an important and committed player for our club.
“The passion and determination shown by Ousmane as he has signed for PSG is fantastic and perfectly corresponds to the attitude required of all of our players. We are proud to be able to bring another French World Cup winner to Paris Saint-Germain as we enter a new great era for our club.”
Dembele, signed from Borussia Dortmund for a joint club-record €135m in August 2017, had reached a new agreement with Barcelona last summer that included a clause that would allow him to leave for €50m if a club offered that amount before July 31, 2023.
The Athletic has reported that clause was in fact “a contract of transfer obligation” between the club and Dembele, which would see Barca receive half of the €50m and the player the other €25m.
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Two months ago, Barcelona submitted a formal proposal to Dembele to extend the contract he signed last July until 2027.
Xavi had insisted that Dembele remained a crucial player, saying after his pre-season goal against Real Madrid: “I think he’s a difference-maker. I said this when I arrived at the club and I can say it now again. Dembele has the potential to be the best player in the world at his position. I believe that. He’s fundamental for us.”
Dembele’s departure will allow Barcelona more margin to operate in the transfer window, although their room to manoeuvre remains limited.
According to La Liga rules, they will only be able to reinvest 35 per cent of what they cash in for Dembele on new signings, as well as the 60 per cent of what the French player was earning in the total of new players’ salaries.
GO DEEPER
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(Photo: Getty Images)
