‘Better than Neymar’, praised by Iniesta, Dembele wanted by Liverpool and Chelsea

There is still no clear indication as to where Barcelona star Ousmane Dembele will be playing his club football next season.

The Frenchman, 25, continues to be linked with a move to both Premier League giants Liverpool and Chelsea as he enters a vital stage of his career.

Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain have also been linked with a swoop this summer.

The France international is set to be a free agent at the end of the month, having failed to so far agree new terms to remain at Barcelona.

And two-footed wing wizard Dembele, would be a huge coup for any side, if his days in Catalonia are over.

Born near Paris, he signed for Rennes aged 13 and progressed through the ranks, signing his first professional contract in October 2015 and making his debut a month later.

Dembele , 18, netted 12 goals and registered five assists in 25 Ligue 1 games, during his first season with the French club.

He was already writing his own headlines, and was named the Ligue 1 Players’ Player of the Year.

A move to Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2016, would see Dembele reach greater heights.

He agreed a contract at the Westfalenstadion until 2021, and cost the club a bargain-fee of just £12.9million.

The Frenchman scored six goals and contributed 13 assists in 32 Bundesliga matches during his first season at Dortmund, before being courted by Barcelona.

In Germany he spent time under the tutelage of Thomas Tuchel and Dembele could link-up with his former manager again at Stamford Bridge this summer.

“Ousmane is an incredible player, he’s really talented. I could watch his amazing skills in every training session,” Tuchel said of the player.

Barcelona were keen on securing the services of their No.1 target, and Dortmund were getting increasing annoyed at the Catalan giants trying to prize away their star on the cheap.

It resulted in former Barca president Jose Maria Bartomeu travelling to Germany for crucial talks, and after a day of negotiations, Dortmund quoted a ‘take it or leave it’ price.

A fee worth £135m was agreed – a fee Barca did not want to pay.

It would double the club’s previous club-record transfer, the £75m (€87m) paid to Liverpool for Luis Suarez in 2014.

Dortmund’s concern was that they would be unable to find a suitable replacement of similar age and potential before the end of the transfer window, but a deal was agreed and the forward would replace his idol Neymar, who joined PSG.

At the time of signing, Dembele rejected comparisons to Neymar, saying: “There’s a big difference between Neymar and me. I’ve been a professional for two years. Neymar is one of the best in the world. I am young and I’m trying to grow each day.

“I’ve not come to be Neymar’s replacement. Barca called me to occupy a position, and I have come to give my all in that position.”

But Bartomeu not only compared them, he made astonishing claims the new Barcelona man would become better than Neymar.

He said: “We’re happy with what we’ve got. Dembele has a higher level than Neymar. And he’s a good professional.

“He’s young and he’s come to a big club. It’s not easy, but he’s already adapted. He’s a much better player than Neymar.”

Dembele has endured an ill-fated spell at the Camp Nou mainly due to injury.

To date, he has netted 32 goals in 150 games in all competitions since moving to the club.

The Frenchman, has, however, previously been praised by Barca legend Andres Iniesta, who spent 16 seasons at the club.

“He is a very special player who can decide a game on his own. Ousmane has so much witty playfulness, speed and determination,” the Spanish World Cup winner told Goal and DAZN in 2019.

“He helps Barca with his genius. He’s also been scoring very regularly this season. It is a pity that his injury has thrown him back a little bit lately. 

“In the coming years he can become a very, very important player for Barca.”

Meanwhile the player himself had to field questions about which foot is actually strongest.

“My best foot? That question again,” said Dembele. “I prefer to shoot with my right foot, it’s better you know, it’s better for aiming.

“I shoot with more power on my right foot because with my left foot, you never know! Sometimes it goes well, but sometimes the shot can go to the sky!”

Whilst their have been flashes of brilliance from the Frenchman, he has never really hit the heights and lived up to the expectation, having showed plenty of promise in the early days of his career.

A move to either Chelsea or Liverpool looks likely, but PSG should not be ruled out.

As recently as October, the Reds were said to be keen as Mundo Deportivo claimed that Jurgen Klopp is ‘in love’ with Dembele.

It remains to be seen where the World Cup winner will be plying his trade next season, but should he leave the bright lights of Barcelona, he certainly will be a huge capture for any side.