Ousmane Dembele's determination to stay at Barcelona this summer and not join Paris Saint-Germain was the key factor in Neymar's failure to complete his switch back to the Nou Camp.
That's according to Spanish publication AS , who state that while Dembele does enjoy a good relationship with PSG boss Thomas Tuchel - who he played under at Borussia Dortmund - the France World Cup winner was reluctant to give up his place at his dream club just two years after joining.
Dembele has had an injury-hit time of it in Catalonia ever since his move from Dortmund, and has seen his place as the attacking foil for Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez frequently called into question.
And although the opportunity to move to Paris opened up with Barca's interest in re-signing Neymar, Dembele sent a message to Barca that he wants to stay at the club and fight for his place.
The report also adds that Dembele dreams of winning the Ballon d'Or, and feels that he can't do that from PSG. At the age of just 22, he also has time on his side to try and achieve that dream with Barca.
Meanwhile, Spain World Cup and European Championship winning manager Vicente del Bosque says that he wouldn't sign Neymar because of the "other things" that the Brazilian brings with him.
Barca are still expected to go back in for the forward in January, with Messi said to be keen to reunite with his fellow South American.
But Del Bosque has urged caution on the move, telling Marca : "I think it was good for the Spanish league to come (and try and sign him), but if I were from a club, I would not have brought him.
"Just as I say he is a great player, I don't like him for other things."
