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SHOES TO FILL

Barcelona to complete £79million signing of Neymar’s replacement next week

Neymar has completed a £198million switch to Paris Saint-Germain, leaving the Catalan giants with a huge hole to fill

Gossip
By John Hutchinson
4th August 2017, 1:44 pm
Updated: 4th August 2017, 3:48 pm

BARCELONA will move quickly to replace Neymar by launching a huge bid for Borussia Dortmund star Ousmane Dembele.

The Catalan giants have a huge hole to fill after Neymar completed a transfer record £198million move to Paris Saint-Germain.

Borussia Dortmund's Ousmane Dembele has been shortlisted to replace Neymar at Barcelona
Rex Features
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Borussia Dortmund’s Ousmane Dembele has been shortlisted to replace Neymar at Barcelona

Neymar's exit has left a huge gap in the Barcelona attack - but there is a long list of potential replacements

PSG
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Neymar’s exit has left a huge gap in the Barcelona attack – but there is a long list of potential replacements

And they have earmarked Dortmund’s 20-year-old attacker Dembele as the man to fill that gap – but he could cost around £79m.

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Both L’Equipe and Marca are reporting that Barca representatives will fly out to Germany next week to tie up a deal for the exciting Frenchman.

Sports director Robert Fernandez will meet with Dortmund chiefs to try and thrash out a deal for the former Rennes winger.

A whole host of players have been tipped to be the superstar to replace Neymar, who has stunned the world of football with his move to the French League.

Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho and Chelsea’s Eden Hazard are believed to be on Ernesto Valverde’s shortlist, as well as Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann.

And unsurprisingly Europe’s most in-demand teenager Kylian Mbappe has also been tipped to make a move to the Nou Camp.

Ousmane Dembele has lit up the Bundesliga - but could be about to do the same in Spain
Getty - Contributor
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Ousmane Dembele has lit up the Bundesliga – but could be about to do the same in Spain

Philippe Coutinho has been shortlisted by Barca chiefs - but Liverpool are adamant he is going nowhere
PA:Press Association
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Philippe Coutinho has been shortlisted by Barca chiefs – but Liverpool are adamant he is going nowhere

According to Marca, Dembele would fit seamlessly into Barca’s set up as he has similar traits to Neymar.

The 20-year-old is comfortable with the ball at both feet, can dribble at speed and is also capable of fulfilling his defensive duties.

As rumours continue to link the French international with a move away from Borussia Dortmund, the winger was involved in a training ground bust-up.

Meanwhile, Griezmann was another target, but AS are reporting Barcelona have no intentions of trying to sign Atleti’s talisman during their transfer ban.

Chelsea winger Eden Hazard is another who is interesting Barcelona
PA:Press Association
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Chelsea winger Eden Hazard is another who is interesting Barcelona

Kylian Mbappe is one of the highest-rated strikers in European football
AFP or licensors
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Kylian Mbappe is one of the highest-rated strikers in European football

Barca and Atletico share a good relationship and although Bartomeu admitted Griezmann interests Barcelona, he would not do anything to unsettle the striker and his current club.

Atletico Madrid were hit with a transfer ban which has prevented them from signing players this summer and it will be lifted in January.

During this transfer window, in an attempt to fight off interest for Griezmann, Atleti have DOUBLED their talisman’s release-clause to a whopping £170m.

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