Barcelona set to lose two key players – Football

La Liga Champions could be losing two key players before the start of the 2023/2024 La Liga season as reports are indicating that French forward Ousmane Dembele has booked a medical date and agreed to a five-year contract with Paris-based Ligue 1 side PSG.

Similarly, Ivorian midfielder Franck Kessie who has been the subject of interest from Premier League side Tottenham, is said to be close to agreeing to a €15 million transfer to Al-Ahli. Spurs were said to have outlined him as one of the players that they will get using the funds that they will get potentially from Harry Kane’s sale to Bayern Munich.

Dembele’s clause was triggered by PSG on Monday, and a deal till June 2028 has been agreed with the deal set to be completed by the weekend while Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli are keen and set a €15 million formal bid; they are also waiting for the player’s personal decision.

Barcelona’s hierarchy has told Frank Kessie that he’s not in the plans for next season despite playing 28 games in the La Liga last season as

Barcelona went all the way while also featuring in all six UEFA Champions League matches as Barcelona got knocked out of the group stage.

Ousmane Dembele, on his part, contributed five goals and seven assists in the La Liga and six UEFA Champions League matches. He is contracted to Barcelona until June 30, 2024, while the Ivorian midfielder is contracted to Catalonians till June 30, 2026.

Al Ahli has already signed several big-name stars, such as Riyad Mahrez, Allan Saint-Maximin, Roberto Firmino, and Edouard Mendy, this summer.

Ansu Fati scored the only goal as Barcelona got a 1-0 win over AC Milan on Wednesday in a pre-season clash and still has a Joan Gamper trophy against Tottenham on Tuesday before their opening La Liga fixture of the new season against Getafe on Sunday, August 13.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu