Dembélé-Raphinha-Memphis, a chain reaction

Although these are three independent negotiations, the futures of Ousmane Dembélé (24 years old), Raphinha (25) and Memphis Depay (28) are interrelated in a delicate balance game in which Mateu Alemany, Barça’s director of football, will have to know how to move well.

It can be said that the key to everything is the renewal of Ousmane Dembélé, operation pending a final meeting that, theoretically, should be held at the end of this week. yesIf the Frenchman, valued at 30 million euros, decides to continue, something that is not at all clear, Barça will not go with the same conviction for the Brazilian Raphinha, a winger who performs exactly in Dembélé’s position and who will go on to be priority only if the French leaves. In the background, Memphis Depay, a player that Xavi likes but who, due to the financial needs of the club, is also on the market. Although he would still be in the market (Barça would have Aubameyang, Ferran, Ansu plus the nine that should come), Memphis’ chances of continuing would increase a lot if Dembélé left and Raphinha did not arrive. The club keeps three scenarios open with Memphis: sale (he has one year left on his contract), extension and sale; o Expansion and continuity in the team.

Mateu Alemany plays the game with a good joker. Raphinha is advised by Deco, who belongs to the Barça technical secretariat. That will allow him, on the one hand, to know how much money the Brazilian winger can get from Leeds (if he descends, his clause drops to 25 million); and on the other, to seduce him into signing for Barça if he needs it. Dembele-Raphinha-Memphis. A chain reaction, but unpredictable in all its parts.