5 players who can replace Neymar at Barcelona

Neymar is probably on his way out of Barcelona

Mes que un club.

Barcelona are ‘more than a club’, and idea that they would let go of Neymar seems preposterous tabloid nonsense, at first glance. However, there is no smoke without fire and the incessant reports of Manchester United being ready to trigger the Brazilian’s release clause lends credence to the idea that Neymar will be leaving Spain.

Still, Barcelona could easily survive the loss of Neymar, while effectively making a huge profit on a player they got 4 great seasons out of.

Here are 5 replacements for Neymar at Barcelona.

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#5 Ousmane Dembele

Ousmane Dembele has been pivotal for Dortmund in just his first season

Not now, because I want to grow and be a protagonist every Sunday. But one day I will play for Barcelona.

If you ask most young starlets if they would want to play for Barcelona, the response would barely contain their excitement. Dembele’s response, however, smacks of a level-headedness that belies his tender age – it reflects in his performances for Dortmund, where he’s become crucial to Thomas Tuchel right from the get go.

With 16 assists and 7 goals in 36 appearances in all competitions this season, Dembele is one of the most productive players in all of Europe’s Top 5 leagues. He’s quite a long way off from Neymar’s incredible feat of a goal contribution every 83 minutes, but for a 19-year-old, a goal contribution rate of 104 minutes is still incredible.

Dembele still needs time to become the finished article, but Barcelona can afford to give him the time, since they have options within the squad who can rotate with Dembele if Neymar leaves next season.