Bengaluru, September 18: Barcelona new boy Ousmane Dembele is set to miss up to four months with a thigh injury, the Catalans have confirmed.

The 20-year-old, who became the second most expensive player in the world after Neymar when he joined the Catalan side from Borussia Dortmund this summer, sustained the injury on his league debut against Getafe on Saturday (September 16).

On Sunday (September 17), Barcelona issued a statement, saying: “The tests have come back and show that Ousmane Dembélé has ruptured the tendon in his femoral bicep in his left thigh. The player will be operated on by Dr Sakari Orava in Finland this week. He is expected to be out for between three and a half months and four months.”

The news come as a huge setback for the Barcelona coach, Ernesto Valverde, with the former Everton winger Gerard Deulofeu and Valencia striker Paco Alcácer his only options up front to play with Luis Suárez and Lionel Messi.

Valverde, meanwhile, praised his side for their second-half reaction after they came from behind to win 2-1 on Saturday. The Blaugrana made a great comeback and Valverde changed the game with his substitutions.

Getafe took a deserved lead through a Gaku Shibasaki wonder-strike but goals from two substitutes turned things around after the break, with Denis Suárez levelling around the hour before Paulinho won the game late on.

The victory preserved Barça’s 100% start in La Liga after four games. “The opposition put us under pressure but this comeback reinforces our belief that we are indeed capable of reacting to difficulty,” Valverde said.

Valverde said he was delighted to see two substitutes make such a vital contribution. “It is important for them as individuals, it gives them both confidence, whilst also showing that our squad is deep and we have many players who can help us,” he said.