Dortmund threaten Fifa action over fears £80m Barcelona target Ousmane Dembele will be tapped up
German side issue strong statement of intent to keep hold of their star French attacker
BORUSSIA DORTMUND have threatened Barcelona with Fifa legal action over their pursuit of Ousmane Dembele.
The France international has been linked with a move to the Nou Camp since the end of last season.
However, Bundesliga giants Dortmund have strongly denied he is for sale and warned they have no intention of allowing him to leave.
And they are prepared to report La Liga side Barca to football’s governing body should they discover anything untoward in their efforts to sign the Frenchman.
Dortmund director Michael Zorc told : “Ousmane Dembele has a long-term contract – we are planning on it.
“There are no negotiations.
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“Dembele will also play for BVB in the coming season.
“If Dortmund is not contacted [by interested clubs], we could initiate a Fifa procedure.”
Dembele found the net six times for Dortmund last season and helped them to win the German Cup.
His performances caught Barcelona’s attentions and they are desperate to add the 20-year-old to their ranks of attacking talents.
Dembele is under contract until 2021.
And judging by the club’s latest comments, he will not be going anywhere soon.
Barca's fierce rivals Real Madrid are also beleived to be monitoring the forward's situation.
Ousmane Dembele factfile
- Dembele was born in Vernon, Normandy on May 15 1997.
- He played youth football for Evreux and Rennes until 2015 when he was promoted to the reserves.
- Dembele scored 12 league goals for Rennes' first team to earn a move to Dortmund after just one season.
- The Bundesliga outfit beat Barcelona to the signing by promising the talent game time and gave him 49 appearances in all competitions.
- Dembele made his France debut in 2016 and has gone on to win seven caps.
- He scored his first international goal in the 3-2 win over England in June 2017