Barcelona manager Xavi has told the likes of Chelsea that Ousmane Dembele is free to leave Barcelona if he cannot agree a new deal, with reports claiming Chelsea have opened talks.
Dembele has greatly frustrated since arriving at the Camp Nou. Due to a combination of both poor form and persistent injuries, he has made just 126 appearances for the Spanish giants, scoring 30 goals.
However, there has been some shock speculation in the media that we may be open to the idea of bringing him to the Premier League in order to add a bit more of a goal-threat to that Attack.
Dembele is out of contract at the end of the current campaign and talks between player and club over a Nou Camp extension have recently ground to a halt following the Frenchman’s substantial demands.
The winger is reportedly pushing for an annual salary of £25million and a separate signing bonus of £25m, while his agent is believed to have stipulated a commission of £13m – demands which have been deemed ‘crazy’ by the Barcelona hierarchy, according to reports in Spain.
With a departure now appearing imminent, we have emerged as one of the frontrunners in the race for his signature having held discussions with the player this month, according to SPORT.
Xavi has pulled no punches when delivering the latest on the winger, who is now deemed free to leave the club if he doesn’t sign a new deal ‘immediately.’
As per Fabrizio Romano, the Barca legend said: “We can’t wait for Ousmane. [He] renews the contract or a solution to sell him must be found immediately”.
“I don’t consider sending him to stands. He says he wants to stay but then he doesn’t sign.”
He then added: “The message is clear. Ousmane Dembele has to sign a new contract or we find a way to sell him in January. No other way.
“I also wonder about agent is talking the way he is and Dembele, on the other hand, telling me he wants to stay. I can’t understand.”
