Ousmane Dembélé misses Barca after his muscle injury and also misses the EM. Sports Director Michael Zorc reveals that BVB is still hoping for a bonus.
French world champion Ousmane Dembélé is missing FC Barcelona for at least half a year, misses the European Championship in summer – and his long absence also has a negative effect on his former club Borussia Dortmund.
According to Spanish media reports, Dembélé’s end of the season costs BVB a five million euro bonus. The Frenchman has so far played 74 compulsory matches for the Catalans, and it was only at the 75th, which was played during this season, that the Dortmund team would have been entitled to the money.
Nevertheless, BVB sports director Michael Zorc is not worried. “Postponed is not lifted”, he said on Wednesday in response to SPORT1 enquiries: “On the time line, the whole thing is postponed. Since the contract has already been leaked publicly, you know that there are also bonuses that depend on FC Barcelona’s success. We’re not going to faint.”
Dembélé is missing Barca and France at the European Championship
The 105-million-euro purchase, which was transferred to Spain for a Bundesliga record sum in 2017 after a great season with Borussia Dortmund, was operated in Turku, Finland, because of a torn tendon in the right thigh, according to Barca.
Dembélé (22) had last returned to training after his persistent thigh injury from the Champions League duel with BVB at the end of November. He should make his comeback in February. But the next setback followed immediately.
Barca may transfer
In the current season the striker has only played five league games for Barcelona. Dembélé has so far come nowhere near fulfilling the expectations associated with the high transfer fees.
Under Spanish transfer law, Barcelona are now allowed to sign a player as a substitute even though the transfer window is already closed. Willian José of Real Sociedad San Sebastian is considered a candidate.
According to the statutes, however, he is only allowed to play in the league, not the Champions League. Barca has already been eliminated in the cup anyway.