According to Spanish publication 'AS', the PSG playmaker is Barca's 'plan B' in case they cannot seal a deal for Borussia Dortmund's French star.
Ernesto Valverde's side are believed to have been interested in Di Maria, who is a good friend and international team-mate of Lionel Messi, for some time and they are not ruling out stepping up that interest in the coming days.
Any move for Dembele would be an expensive one, with Dortmund understood to be demanding €150m for the youngster. Despite the player's young age and undoubted quality, it is believed that the price could prove too much for the Catalan outfit.
Di Maria on the other hand, is unlikely to fetch such a prohibitive fee. At 29, the Argentine has copious top level experience, and trophy-winning experience.
Is Di Maria a good alternative to Dembele? Or can Barca do better?