MX23RW : Saturday, April 27 10:23:43| >> :120:4550:4550:

Monday's Barcelona transfer talk news roundup: Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Lionel Messi

Here, Sports Mole rounds up the latest transfer talk for Barcelona on Monday, November 16.

The summer transfer window has now closed, shutting the door on one of the most turbulent spells in Barcelona's history.

The Spanish giants were rocked by Lionel Messi's request to leave the club, sparking a bitter contract dispute which ultimately ended with the six-time Ballon d'Or winner reluctantly agreeing to stay for at least another season.

Other notable names such as Luis Suarez, Ivan Rakitic and Arturo Vidal did leave, though, while Messi's future is sure to be the subject of much more speculation going forward.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up the latest transfer news from the Camp Nou.

Monday morning's Barcelona transfer talk news roundup:


Barcelona 'turned down Kylian Mbappe for Ousmane Dembele'

Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe pictured on August 22, 2020© Reuters

Barcelona turned down the opportunity to sign Kylian Mbappe in order to secure a deal for Ousmane Dembele, according to the Catalan club's former director Javier Bordas.

Dembele moved to Camp Nou in the summer of 2017 as a replacement for Neymar, who joined Paris Saint-Germain in a deal worth close to £200m.

According to Bordas, Barca were offered the chance to sign Mbappe from Monaco, but the La Liga side's technical secretary Robert Fernandez was of the opinion that Dembele would be a better acquisition.

"When we were to sign Dembele, agent Josep Maria Minguella called me to tell us Mbappe was within reach," Bordas told Mundo Deportivo. "I spoke with Josep Maria Bartomeu and he told me to look at him.

"I called Mbappe's father and he told me that we was not going to go to Real Madrid because Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale were there and that instead he could go to Barca because Neymar had left.

"The president of Monaco preferred that he signed for Barcelona so as not to reinforced PSG, a direct rival. And it could have been done for €100m (£90m/$118m).

"Robert preferred Dembele and Pep Segura supported him. The explanation was that Mbappe plays for himself and Dembele plays for the team, and since a winger like Ney had left, Robert preferred a winger more than a finisher."

Mbappe has become one of the leading attackers in world football during his time with PSG, scoring 97 goals and registering 58 assists in 132 appearances for the French champions in all competitions.

Dembele, on the other hand, has largely struggled to make his mark with Barca and was strongly linked with a move away from the club over the summer transfer window.



Barcelona 'considering Antonio Rudiger as Eric Garcia alternative'

Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger pictured in July 2020© Reuters

Barcelona are reportedly weighing up a January move for Chelsea's Antonio Rudiger.

The Catalan giants are expected to move for a new centre-back at the start of 2021 as head coach Ronald Koeman has limited options in that area of the field.

Samuel Umtiti could depart in the winter transfer window, leaving the La Liga side with only Gerard Pique, Clement Lenglet and Ronald Araujo as first-team options.

According to Sport, Barca have identified Rudiger as a possible acquisition as the club are still struggling to come to an agreement with Manchester City over Eric Garcia.

Rudiger was strongly linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge over the summer, but the transfer window closed with the defender still at the club.

The 27-year-old has not played a single minute of Premier League football this season, though, and is thought to be keen on a winter switch to ensure that he secures a spot in the Germany squad for next summer's European Championships.

Chelsea are allegedly willing to sell Rudiger at the start of 2021 as they look to raise funds to move for West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice.


More transfer news from Barcelona:

Manchester City 'putting together plan to sign Lionel Messi'
Manchester City are drafting a plan to sign Barcelona attacker Lionel Messi next summer, according to a report. Read more.

Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal 'suffer blow in Nicolo Barella pursuit'
Inter Milan reportedly signal that midfielder Nicolo Barella, who has been linked with Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool, is not for sale at any price. Read more.

Barcelona, Manchester City 'locked in talks over Eric Garcia'
Barcelona are locked in discussions with Manchester City over teenage centre-back Eric Garcia, according to a report. Read more.

Barcelona 'will owe Lionel Messi £30m even if he leaves for free'
Barcelona will reportedly have to pay Lionel Messi a £30m loyalty bonus next summer even if he decides to leave the club. Read more.

Barcelona 'eye Paris Saint-Germain's Neymar as Lionel Messi replacement'
Barcelona identify Neymar as the perfect replacement for Lionel Messi should the Argentine depart at the end of the season, according to a report. Read more.

Lautaro Martinez, Erling Braut Haaland 'top Manchester City wish list'
Manchester City's two priority transfer targets for next summer are Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez and Borussia Dortmund's Erling Braut Haaland, according to a report. Read more.

Barcelona eye January move for Arsenal's Shkodran Mustafi?
Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman reportedly identifies Arsenal's Shkodran Mustafi as a surprise transfer target for the January window. Read more.

ID:422484: cacheID:422484:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:9839:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe pictured on August 22, 2020
Read Next:
Barcelona 'turned down Kylian Mbappe for Ousmane Dembele'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid33266171224984
2Barcelona32217464372770
3GironaGirona32215667402768
4Atletico MadridAtletico32194959382161
5Athletic Bilbao321610652302258
6Real Sociedad331312846351151
7Real BetisBetis32121284038248
8Valencia32138113534147
9Villarreal32119125155-442
10Getafe32913103844-640
11Osasuna32116153746-939
12Sevilla32910134145-437
13Las PalmasLas Palmas32107153039-937
14AlavesAlaves3298152838-1035
15Rayo Vallecano32713122739-1234
16Celta Vigo32710153747-1031
17Mallorca32613132638-1231
18CadizCadiz32413152245-2325
19Granada3239203361-2818
20Almeria32111203164-3314


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!