FC Barcelona are reportedly prepared "to go to war" with Paris Saint-Germain over their pursuit of star attacker Ousmane Dembele.
Read: African star 'prefers' Arsenal move over Chelsea
It has been reported that Blaugrana star Dembele is on the verge of completing a surprise move to the French capital.
The record Ligue 1 champions are long-time admirers of the 26-year-old, and are willing to pay his €50 million (R974 million) release clause in a bid to bolster their attack, but but is understood they only have until midnight on Monday to trigger it, after which it will double to €100 million (R1.9 million).
The Catalan giants' executive, as well as head coach Xavi Hernandez, have offered him a new deal and pleaded with the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner to stay at the Camp Nou, emphasising that he is an integral part of the team, but with Les Parisiens prepared to pay him between €6 and €7 million (R116 and R136 million) more annually than their Spanish counterparts, it looks as though the France international could be making his way back to his homeland's top division.
It is claimed the Blaugrana are trying to make things as difficult as possible for PSG ahead of the deadline for the €50 million (R974 million) release clause, and are refusing to entertain negotiations in the interim, with the Ligue 1 giants in a race against time to activate the current buyout clause.
On top of that, should PSG successfully sign Dembele, Barcelona will lodge a complaint with UEFA and insist they investigate the French club to make sure they are compliant with Financial Fair Play rules, according to Mundo Deportivo.
This would be a similar situation to when LALIGA president Javier Tebas urged European football's governing body to investigate Les Parisiens' behaviour after Kylian Mbappe shocked many when he signed a lucrative extension amid serious interest from Real Madrid in May 2022.
Dembele looked to be finding fitness and form under Xavi last season, but could now leave Spain in the hopes of continuing his seemingly new lease on life with the French champions, with his agent said to be putting pressure on LALIGA to see that his release clause is triggered before Tuesday.
Read: Is the EPL a realistic option for Mbappe?
It has been further claimed by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano that Dembele, in a bid to do things "the correct way", has asked the Blaugrana for formal "permission" to speak with PSG, who are said to have offered him a five-year deal, one it is believed he has already agreed to.
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
WATCH VIDEO: