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Barcelona have completed the signing of attacking midfielder Ousmane Dembele from Germany's Borussia Dortmund on a five-year-deal for a club record 105 million euros ($124 million) plus add-ons, the Spanish side said on Friday.
France international Dembele scored 10 goals and provided 20 assists in all competitions to help Dortmund finish third in the Bundesliga last season. The team also won the German Cup.
A statement from Barca said Dembele would arrive in Barcelona on Sunday and have his medical on Monday before signing the contract, which will contain a release clause of 400 million euros. He will also be officially unveiled on Monday at the club's Nou Camp stadium.
"Without doubt he is (a) hugely talented player, one of the best on the continent," the statement on Barca's website added (www.fcbarcelona.com).
Shortly after Barcelona's announcement, a statement from the Bundesliga side confirmed the sale:
"FC Barcelona will pay Borussia Dortmund a fixed transfer compensation of 105 million euros. Above that there was an agreement of a variable transfer compensation up to a maximum of around 40 percent of the fixed transfer compensation."
Barcelona are also targeting Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho as they look to fill the void left by the departure of star forward Neymar, who joined Paris St Germain for a world record fee of 222 million euros.
After Neymar, Dembele becomes the second most expensive transfer of all-time as the deal's add-ons will take him past the 105 million euros Manchester United paid Juventus for Paul Pogba last year.
He also becomes the priciest player in La Liga, his fee outstripping the 100 million euros Real Madrid paid for Gareth Bale in 2013.
Barca's need to sign a top class player to replace the Brazilian was underlined by their heavy 5-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup earlier in the month, although the Catalans beat Real Betis 2-0 in their opening game of the Liga campaign.
They visit Alaves on Saturday, while Dembele is likely to make his debut after the international break on Sept. 9 when Barca host city rivals Espanyol.
Southampton defender Yoshida signs new three-year contract
Southampton defender Maya Yoshida has signed a new three-year contract to extend his stay until 2020, the Premier League club have said.
The Japan international joined Southampton from Dutch side VVV Venlo in 2012 and has made 138 appearances. He played 23 league games last season, becoming the first Japanese player to feature in 100 Premier League games.
"There was no reason to leave the club. I have been here for five years. In that time, I have had difficult moments, good moments – everything," Yoshida told the club's website. (southamptonfc.com)
"I feel like it's my home and I'm very happy to continue my journey with Southampton. It's a new chapter for my career."
