Dortmund set Barcelona time limit on Dembele

The France international has been identified as a top target by Barcelona to replace Neymar, but Dortmund are reluctant to part with a prized asset and have stated that it will take upwards of €100 million to lure them into negotiations.

Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke told Kicker: “The time on the horizon is enough for two more games.”

The current transfer window closes on August 31 and Dortmund have two more fixtures to take in before that, against Wolfsburg and Hertha Berlin.

After that, there will be no more changes until January, with clubs across Europe having to make do with those already at their disposal.

Barca, then, have a little under three weeks in which to get a deal done, should they wish to do so.

Dortmund have announced that Dembele will remain suspended “until further notice”, with the club having released a statement regarding their stance over the weekend.

The 20-year-old is free to train on his own, but he will not be drafted back into the camp until the situation is resolved or the window closes.