Barcelona Transfer News: Ousmane Dembele Pursuit Discussed by Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund have warned Barcelona to meet their valuation of Ousmane Dembele or face missing out on the player. 

The forward has been linked with a move to the Camp Nou after Neymar left for Paris Saint-Germain. Speaking about their pursuit, Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc told Kicker (h/t Stephan Uersfeld of ESPN.co.uk) the La Liga side need to pay up.

"We have made our ideas quite clear to them," he said. "Either Barcelona meets them or they do not."

As noted by Uersfeld, Dortmund are said to be holding our for around €140 million (£129 million) for Dembele, with Barcelona having already had a bid rejected for the 20-year-old.

When asked about a potential improved offer, Zorc made it clear Dortmund won't be undercut in their valuation. "They don't need to make another bid," he said. "We mean what we say."

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According to Sky Sports' Guillem Balague, the Blaugrana and Dortmund still remain some way apart in their valuation of the player:

Dembele has been fined and suspended by Dortmund after he missed training three days after Barca's first offer, per BBC Sport. 

Though Barcelona have received a world-record fee of £200 million for Neymar, finding ways to spend that money has proved tough. As noted by Phil McNulty of BBC Sport, Liverpool have turned down three approaches from the Blaugrana for their midfielder Philippe Coutinho, the most recent worth a potential £114 million.

Prising Dembele away from the Westfalenstadion is proving to be just as testing an ask. With their coffers full, selling clubs are ready to get everything they possibly can from the Blaugrana.

It appears Dortmund are at least willing to do business for Dembele, and it would be a surprise if a deal isn't completed.

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Regardless of the fee that Barca will have to pay to secure his signature, the Frenchman is an exhilarating player. He's not of the same standard as Neymar, but there's no denying Dembele has the potential to go to the very top of the game.

The Dortmund man marries his blistering speed with impeccable balance and composed decision-making. They're the kind of traits that would bring the best out of the likes of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez at the Camp Nou. 

However, Rafael Hernandez believes Barca need other players to make them a force again:

Neither Barcelona nor Dortmund will want this to drag until the end of the transfer window, though it feels like a deal that will be done with the deadline close to passing.

Barca will not want to miss out on one of Europe's brightest prospects and a young man who can refresh their attacking play, while Dortmund can potentially receive a remarkable fee for a footballer who appears to want out.