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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="better-collective-widget">{"type":"better-collective-widget","data":{}}</script><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><ul><li>Bordas convinced he could've signed Mbappe</li><li>Barca had money to spend following Neymar sale</li><li>Club chose to pursue Dembele instead</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

How Barcelona rejected the chance to sign Kylian Mbappe in favour of star who flopped at Camp Nou - ex-sporting director explains

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<p>In an appearance on Spanish TV show <a href="https://www.sport.es/es/noticias/barca/mbappe-habria-venido-barca-100664823" target="_self"><em>El Chiringuito</em></a>, Bordas — who worked under former presidents Sandro Rosell and Josep Bartomeu in a position now occupied by Deco — insisted that if it had been up to him, Mbappe would have signed for Barca in 2017. At the time, the club had €222 million to spend after PSG's record signing of Neymar. But they chose to pursue Ousmane Dembele instead, a player who failed to fulfil his potential while with the Spanish giants.</p><br>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>The Barcelona hierarchy's decision to opt for Dembele, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/barcelona-complete-105m-dembele-signing-from-borussia-dortmund/1dak6hdg19ir412zq3nmok5sri">signing a deal worth up to €147m</a> for the French international, turned out to be a poor move. He never reached the heights expected and was <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/ousmane-dembele-barcelona-worst-signing-club-history/blt4790afd6a73f0116">shipped out to PSG last summer</a> following his disappointing spell at Barca, while Mbappe has continued racking up goals in Ligue 1 and stunning on the international stage for France.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>"If I had been in charge, Mbappe would have played for Barca," said Bordas. "I moved for Mbappe. He could have come to Barca. We didn't specify a price, but he would have gone for €100 million. The coaches told us that they wanted Dembele because of the other players we had. There was the option to bring both of them."</p>

WHAT BORDAS SAID

<p>It certainly seems as though the Barcelona ship sailed a long time ago for Mbappe; today, Real Madrid continue to be the club most closely linked with the French star, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/psg-superstar-kylian-mbappe-guaranteed-to-become-real-madrid-player-explained/blt3f1ead900ed6cba3" target="_self">who has reportedly already put pen to paper on a contract</a> to take him to join Jude Bellingham and co. Transfer speculation surrounding the 25-year-old has been relentless over the past few seasons, and it appears Mbappe's big move will finally take place this summer.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR MBAPPE?

How Barcelona rejected the chance to sign Kylian Mbappe in favour of star who flopped at Camp Nou - ex-sporting director explains | Goal.com UK

Ex-Barcelona sporting director Javier Bordas has explained how the club rejected the chance to sign Kylian Mbappe back in 2017.

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