Javier Bordas (former Barcelona director): "Mbapp?? When we were trying to sign Demb?l?, Minguella called me to tell us that Mbapp? was within reach. For 100 million euros it could have been done. But the technical secretary preferred Demb?l? and Segura supported him." [md
PAIN
Being a filthy liar is a also a virtue under Barto.
And there are two kinds of lies: Lie by commission, Lie by omission. And this rat does both in his ridiculous statements.
1) Lie by commission: The price.
Everybody and Mbape's mother knew that Monaco had set their price for Mbape: 180 m Euros, no penny less.
All of Europe's big clubs sniffed around, but when they found out the actual price they backed off.
Then the whole dialogue with Mbape's father and Monaco's president might be fabricated.
2) Lie by omission:
The board back then thought that Suarez was good to go, and Messi as a RW also.
They were looking for a LW, primarily a winger and dribbler in the mold of Neymar to sweeten the pill.
And that profile was better satisfied by Dembele than Mbape.
Plus the fact that Coutinho was already targeted, and they were going defacto for two players rather than one