The issue surrounding FC Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembele couldn’t be resolved during the winter transfer market. It is widely believed that the winger will now leave for free in the summer. The club, angry with Dembele’s misdirections over a possible new contract signing, has threatened to send the player to the stands.
Going into the winter transfer window, Barcelona’s position was quite clear. The Frenchman would either have to sign a new contract and extend his future at the Camp Nou or leave in the winter market so that the Blaugrana could recover some of the initial investment made on him. In the end, Dembele chose neither and the club is quite angry with him and has also threatened to send the player to the stands.
However, Barcelona president Joan Laporta said on Wednesday that it will be up to head coach Xavi to decide whether Dembele plays for the club in the second half of the season after refusing to sign a new contract.
“What I do think is that the coach is working for this season and also for the next one so a player who has not decided to renew – which means probably we won’t have him next season because there must be another club that has an agreement with him – it’s more difficult for him to play,”
Laporta was quoted as saying by Marca.
In the presentation of new loan signing Adama Traore, Laporta faced several questions from the media regarding Dembele’s future. He claimed that the French winger turned down a move to a Premier League team on the final day of the winter transfer window on Monday.
Apparently, the club had offers from Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Tottenham regarding Dembele, but a deal did not materialise. Barcelona also believe that the winger has already agreed terms with another club and will be joining in the summer.
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Despite the public dispute, it will be interesting to see whether Xavi uses the player in the second half of the season as Barcelona attempt to rescue a spot inside the top four in La Liga. They will also have to focus on their Europa League campaign after being knocked out of the Champions League.
