Barça decided not to sign Karamoko Dembele to avoid problems with FIFA
The club were close to signing the youngster who has been creating headlines this season
Karamoko Dembele, the 13-year-old who’s caught the attention of the football world, could have been a Barcelona player. The club’s scouts had the youngster under control just over one year ago and were in contact with his representatives, convinced that he had everything to be a star in the future.
Dembele was ready to play for Barça but the club, after all the scouting and hard work had been done, decided not to go through with a deal which could have led to problems with FIFA again. Dembele has already debuted with Celtic’s U20 side and for the Scotland U16 team.
Barça’s scouts discovered him after watching him at various youth tournaments. And he impressed. It was the player’s age which put the brakes on the operation, although the reports and contacts were saved. Curiously, the player’s now become known on a larger scale after debuting for Celtic’s U20 side and videos of him going viral on social media.
Celtic now won’t let anyone close to the player. Both Manchester United and Manchester City are desperate to sign Dembele for their academies, but the Scottish champions have asked for FIFA to protect the young teenager after his appearances in the media.
Barça were the first club to move for him, though. Maybe in the future he’ll remember that they were the side that wanted to take a chance on him.
