For Barcelona under Ernesto Valverde this summer read Manchester United and David Moyes. Whether Barca can turn it around is questionable but should they do so by signing Ousmane Dembele then Borussia Dortmund have eyed up a replacement.
This summer has been as much of a disaster for the Camp Nou team as United's summer under David Moyes where a team past their peak were in desperate need of reconstructive surgery.
At least Moyes didn't have to contend with losing one of the club's best players but Barcelona's approach to getting players in, especially to replace Neymar, has been as embarrassing as United's attempts to sign Thiago, Cesc Fabregas, Gareth Bale and Ander Herrera.
United had all these big transfer targets, including bringing Cristiano Ronaldo back, and ended up with Fellaini. The less said about Paulinho the better. Image: PA
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Of course the one factor that is on the La Liga team's side is time. There is still time to get Ousmane Dembele and/or Philippe Coutinho over the line. Should they manage to get Dembele from Borussia Dortmund then the German's already have their eyes on a replacement.
According to Calcio Mercato if Barca eventually stump up the money for the 20 year old then Dortmund will use it to buy Bordeaux's Brazilian winger Malcom, who they've been watching him since January 2016.
Malcom taking on Barcelona's other target Angel di Maria, everything in the transfer window is connected. Image: PA
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The report suggests that the Brazilian could be available for around €25-30 million, an absolute steal in today's market- especially considering the German club reportedly want €150 million for Dembele.
Dortmund do have a reputation for making young players better, as has been the case with Dembele, and the former Corinthians player would be a very good replacement should they sell their player.
Dembele only moved last summer from Rennes for around €13 million. Image: PA
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As well as Dembele and Coutinho, Barcelona have also been linked with moves for Angel di Maria and Nice midfielder Jean Seri but have only brought in Paulinho and right back Nelson Semedo so far.
The last thing that the Camp Nou faithful need is this whole summer to carry on the way it has been.
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