Borussia Dortmund Win Ousmane Dembele Race

Despite a late flurry of rumours linking Ousmane Dembele with a Liverpool move, Borussia Dortmund have today confirmed that the French attacking midfielder has agreed a deal that will see him head to the Bundesliga runners-up in the summer. According to reports, Dortmund have paid around €15M for his services.

Dortmund were always considered favourites for Dembele, though rumour mongers in England tried to keep things interesting by linking him with a move to both Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur. For Dortmund, it was important to announce the good news as soon as possible following confirmation that Mats Hummels had left for Bayern Munich.

“Ousmane can play almost every attacking position,” raved Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc when the club announced his capture earlier today. “I have to say how much I respect his choice, as he has remained committed [to Dortmund] in the face of a number of high profile offers from all around Europe over the past year.”

Dembele, who turns 19 on the weekend, is one of France’s brightest young prospects, and he has become a regular for Ligue 1 side Stade Rennais this season, scoring 12 goals and adding five assists in 28 appearances across all competitions. He was named Ligue 1’s player of the season as a result, and is a darkhorse contender to be named to France’s Euros squad.

Earlier this week, Dembele publicly revealed that he had turned down an approach from surprise Premier League champions Leicester City, though that didn’t put an end to the Liverpool or Spurs links. He has also been linked, though less seriously, with Manchester United, Arsenal, and Dortmund’s domestic rivals, Bayern Munich.