Dembele out of Euro 2020 after hamstring surgery
Ousmane Dembele will miss Euro 2020 after Barcelona announced on Tuesday the France international will be out for about half a year following surgery on his right hamstring.
Dembele's absence also means he'll be sidelined for the others of the season for Barca, who'll be without another attacker after losing Luis Suarez to a long-term knee injury last month.
"The first team player Ousmane Dembele has successfully undergone surgery ... for a ruptured tendon in his proximal hamstring in his right thigh. The Frenchman will be out for around half a year," the La Liga champions said in a statement.
The 22-year-old has suffered several hamstring problems since joining from Borussia Dortmund in August 2017 in a deal worth up to 147 million euros ($160.5 million).
Dembele has made only nine appearances this year.
He was near dealing with a hamstring injury sustained in November before suffering a relapse in training the other day.
The former Rennes attacker also missed the majority of his opening year at Barcelona with a similar problem which kept the forward out for four months.
Dembele's latest disappointment is a blow to France's hopes of following up 2018's World Cup triumph by winning the Euros come early july, while Barca coach Quique Setien spoke earlier this month of his excitement at the chance of the youngster's return.
His long layoff could prompt Barcelona to get a replacement up front, if the club are permitted to make an emergency signing by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).
Barcelona can make an application for permission from the RFEF but any new arrival would need to be playing in La Liga or out of contract, and would not be permitted to feature in the Champions League.
Real Sociedad forward Willian Jose, Getafe's Angel and Lucas Perez from Alaves are all reported targets
