When Barcelona invested €145 million in Ousmane Dembele in 2017, there were some doubters. He had a ton of potential, but the price was way too high and Dembele had Neymar’s shoes to fill, as he moved on to PSG. Five years later, the doubters were right. Dembele has been permanently injured and managed only 139 apps for Barcelona in all competitions. As his contract is up this summer and he is only 24, many teams will want to add a talent like that for free. Thus, we look at the three best destinations for Barcelona outcast Ousmane Dembele.

PSG 

In a similar situation five years on, Ousmane Dembele might be asked to fill Neymar’s position once again, this time in a different context. As reports from early March suggested that the owners of PSG want to sell Neymar, Dembele might be a great solution for them. Under Xavi, Dembele has reinvigorated his career and started playing regular football, making 12 appearances this season and bagging nine assists, including two assists versus Real Madrid in the 0-4 El Clasico trashing. These could be good signs for any club that is willing to take Dembele on and PSG has been the first one linked to the French winger. They might be famous for huge money moves, but getting someone on a free transfer is also an option for the French club.

Even if Neymar stays past this season, they still have a Kylian Mbappe hole to cover. Mbappe is still technically a PSG player, but as time goes on, it is looking certain that he is moving on to Real Madrid. While he is a striker primarily, Ousmane Dembele can replace him by getting on the right, Neymar remaining on the left, and pushing Messi either in a number ten role with Mauro Icardi leading the attack or putting Messi in the false nine role. Dembele is similar to Mbappe in some regard, as a pacey winger that can dominate the game on his day. Even though his French compatriot is a much better footballer, Dembele can still do the job that PSG ownership and fans demand of him.