PSG keen to repeat ‘Operation Messi’ with Barcelona contract rebel

Having successfully raided Barcelona for their greatest player ever in Lionel Messi last year, Paris Saint-Germain are ready to repeat the trick again with Ousmane Dembele in 2022.

Messi, who had spent his entire career with Barça, moved on in the summer transfer window of last year on a free transfer after the Catalans were unable to renew his contract.

The 34-year-old was handed a massive deal by Les Parisiens, who beat a host of other interested clubs to his signing. And, they are planning to apply the same strategy in pursuit of Dembele, reports Mundo Deportivo (h/t Fichajes).

The 24-year-old’s current contract with the Catalans expires at the end of the season. Talks over a renewal have come to a screeching halt due to his outrageous €40 million per year wage demands.

PSG have now entered the fray for his signing, as they look to lure him away on a free transfer at the end of the season. Talks are believed to have been initiated between Dembele’s camp and the French heavyweights.

However, other clubs are also in the hunt with the likes of Juventus, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Liverpool all mentioned as interested parties. And, in order to blow away their suitors and convince the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner to move to Parc des Princes, Les Parisiens are readying a bumper offer.

Indeed, as per the report, PSG are willing to pay Dembele wages much more than he currently makes at Barcelona while they are also prepared to offer him and his representative a massive signing-on bonus.

It is stated that the French capital outfit believe that the former Borussia Dortmund winger has great potential, is still young and can be developed into a superstar at the club. So, they are now prepared to take steps necessary to ensure that not only does the winger renew with Barcelona, but refuses other clubs to move back to his homeland.