How Much Was Dembele Transfer to Barcelona?

By Alice Nichols

The transfer of French footballer Ousmane Dembele to Barcelona in 2017 was one of the most expensive transfers in the history of football. The young and talented player joined the Spanish club from German side Borussia Dortmund for a fee that shattered records at the time.

Dembele’s Background

Before we dive into the numbers, let’s take a brief look at Dembele’s background. He was born on May 15, 1997, in Vernon, France.

The youngster began his professional football career with Stade Rennais before moving to Borussia Dortmund in 2016. His impressive debut season with the German club caught the attention of Barcelona, who were looking for a replacement for Neymar Jr., who had left for Paris Saint-Germain.

The Transfer Fee

Barcelona eventually signed Ousmane Dembele for a whopping fee of €105 million ($124 million) plus add-ons. This transfer fee made him one of the most expensive players ever signed by any club at that time. The deal also included various performance-related bonuses that could increase the total fee up to €145 million ($171 million).

What Were The Add-Ons?

The add-ons included in this deal were based on certain performance criteria such as appearances, goals scored, and team achievements. For instance, if Dembele played more than 50% of Barcelona’s games in a single season, an additional payment of €5 million would be made to Borussia Dortmund. Similarly, if Barcelona won La Liga or Champions League during his tenure at the club, they would have to pay an additional amount of €5 million each.

Why Was He So Expensive?

Now comes the question – why was Ousmane Dembele so expensive? There are several reasons for this.

Firstly, he was considered one of the brightest young talents in world football at that time. Secondly, the transfer market was inflated due to the sale of Neymar Jr. to Paris Saint-Germain for a world-record fee of €222 million ($262 million). Lastly, Borussia Dortmund were in a strong bargaining position and knew that Barcelona desperately needed a replacement for Neymar Jr.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Ousmane Dembele’s transfer to Barcelona was one of the most expensive transfers in football history. The Frenchman signed for a base fee of €105 million ($124 million) plus add-ons that could take the total fee up to €145 million ($171 million). While his time at Barcelona has been marred by injuries and inconsistency, there is no denying that Dembele is a talented player who has the potential to justify his price tag in the future.