I turned down Paris Saint-Germain for Barcelona, states Dembele

Ousmane Dembele has revealed he turned down an offer from Paris Saint-Germain in favour of a move to Barcelona last summer. 

The Frenchman was hot property in 2016 following a stunning breakthrough season with Rennes, with Barcelona eventually winning the race to secure his services last year. 

Dembele’s time at Barcelona has been blighted by injury, with the 20-year-old restricted to just three league starts as a result. 

It could have been different for the young forward, however, with PSG courting Dembele before his switch to Barcelona was confirmed. 

"I met [PSG president] Nasser [Al-Khelaifi]," Dembele told Onze Mondial. 

"We had set up a meeting. It went really well. He's a great president. 

"What struck me about him is that he is very humble, he's calm -- I had never seen that. Honestly, he's a good guy.” 

Dembele added he rejected Barcelona in order to join Dortmund in 2016, but wouldn’t turn down a second offer from the La Liga giants, explaining: "I had had a meeting with Barcelona. I had told them: 'For next season it's not possible, but the next time you contact me, I'll come,' and that is what happened.” 

Dembele departed Dortmund on a sour note, however, having gone on strike to force the move through. 

As a result, the France international drew criticism, but Dembele asked how his critics would have reacted in a similar situation. 

"I had the impression I was missing out on my dream," he said. "I had the reaction that I had, I totally accept that. 

"What did you want me to do? That I say 'no' to Barcelona a second time? That was impossible for me. 

"I'm at a crazy club here, alongside the best. Every year, the club's in the Champions League semifinals or the final. 

"I would like to see how the people who criticised me would have reacted if they had been in my position."