Barcelona confidently won against Real

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Ousmane Dembele asked Barcelona not to sign French defender during the winter transfer window

Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images

Barcelona were looking to sign several players this summer transfer window, with several holes in the starting lineup. Sergio Busquets had already decided to leave the club on a free transfer, while Ansu Fati, Ez Abde left Catalonia during the final days of the window.

The right-back position also had to be reinforced, with Jules Kounde not happy about playing in that role for another season. The Frenchman, at his best as a centre-back, wanted to return to that position.

And while Xavi was happy with Sergi Roberto continuing in the team, the Spaniard is far from starting lineup quality anymore, and thus, the club targetted someone who would be comfortable with the ball in wide and central positions.

Before signing Joao Cancelo, one player they were targeting was Bayern Munich’s Benjamin Pavard. In fact, the Frenchman was on the club’s radars during the last January window as well.

According to a SPORT, it was none other than Ousmane Dembele who advised Xavi and co. to not sign Pavard during the January window this year.

As such, Barça stopped their pursuit in the tracks, and the player ended up joining Inter Milan during the summer window.

Conflicting personality

Pavard was the starter for France as they won the World Cup in 2018, playing as the right-back for Dedier Deschamps’ team. However, he was dropped from the lineup during the 2022 edition, with Jules Kounde taking his place.

There were reports from the French camp claiming that the players were not particularly happy with Pavard’s performances and quality. This list of protestors included a certain Ousmane Dembele.

Further, there were also claims that Pavard cut an isolating figure in the dressing room, and was a conflicting personality. Hence, Dembele’s advice.

The 26-year-old ended up leaving Barcelona himself in the summer when Paris Saint-Germain came calling. The Catalans signed Joao Felix as a replacement, with Vitor Roque expected to arrive in the winter.