While Barcelona are locked in negotiations with Liverpool over the transfer of Philippe Coutinho, there are some that believe the Brazilian should not even be their priority at the moment.
After sparkling in the Bundesliga last season, Ousmane Dembele became one of the hottest properties in world football. The 20-year old French star has quickly gone from teenage prodigy to a crucial first team member for Borussia Dortmund.
After just one year with the German giants, Dembele broke his way into the French national squad. The two footed youngster seems destined for great things, as he has now entered Didier Deschamps’ plans for next year’s World Cup.
So why is the French winger a better fit as compared to Liverpool’s magical Brazilian?
First, we need to understand that both players would be expected to fill in the ‘Neymar sized’ hole that exists at the Nou Camp right now. So what was Neymar’s role for Barcelona?
It is a known fact that Neymar was essentially Messi’s wing man at the Nou Camp. In spite of not being a natural wide man, the Brazilian had to literally hug the touchline, in order to create space for Messi in the middle.
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Coutinho is a midfield maestro, who would be much more of an influence through the middle, rather than out wide. Actually, Coutinho would be able to replace Andres Iniesta far more effectively than Neymar. Which is why Dembele, a wide man himself, would be a much better fit for Barcelona.
Also, Borussia Dortmund would be far more willing to sell as opposed to Liverpool. The English club have the money, and would be far more unwilling to let their talisman go just before the season starts. Dortmund are not in the same position though.
Dembele himself is hell bent on moving to Spain. The youngster is thinking big. He knows that if he could shine alongside Messi and Suarez at Barcelona, he will give himself a fantastic opportunity at starting France’s opening World Cup match.
It seems like a perfect fit!
