Ousmane Dembele contract stand-off – Barcelona unlikely to send him to the stands

It is understood that Ousmane Dembele has failed to reach an agreement with FC Barcelona to extend his current contract, which runs out in 2022. Dembele will be free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with any club that might approach him come January 1. 

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As things stand, the two parties have reached a deadlock with the player said to be demanding €40 million net per season for five years. The Frenchman is also said to be looking for a €20 million signing-on bonus. 

The player’s agents are not said to be a fan of the pay cut that the club are looking to offer him, with Barcelona successfully completing the signing of Ferran Torres from Manchester City for a reported fee of €55 million. With that said, the club also plans on signing Haaland next summer, an operation that could well cost up to €120 million. 

Why have the talks collapsed?

Keeping the Ferran Torres deal and the potential arrival of Haaland next year, Dembele’s party does not believe that the club does not have money to offer the 24-year-old a €200 million contract spread across 5 years. Dembele has been gaining prominence this season with his performances on the pitch, registering two assists thus far in the five games that he has played. In fact, the winger’s performance in Sevilla was one of the major reasons why Barcelona were able to secure a draw away from home. 

With that said, it is looking increasingly unlikely that Dembele will renew with his current club and it is looking increasingly likely that he will leave the club in the next summer window, on a Bosman. 

Barcelona are not willing to accept the huge demands put forward by the player and his party and now face the interesting choice to either send him to the stands for the remainder of the season or continue playing him. 

So now what’s next for Barcelona and Dembele?

Some sources understand that Barca would be willing to send him to the stands for the remainder of the season while others seem to believe that Xavi will not look to risk the Blaugrana’s UEFA Champions League qualification hopes and a potential Europa League victory by losing a key player like Dembele. 

Barcelona could potentially send the player to the stands as they did in the case of Ilaix Moriba. This is because Ferran Torres’ arrival means that there is increased depth in the Barca ranks. This move could also see the likes of Abde and Illais gain prominence. 

Juventus, Newcastle, and Manchester United are said to be interested in signing the 2018 World Cup winner. Dembele has already reached an agreement in principle with Juventus and is already looking at a summer exit. 

The saga between Barcelona and Dembele, which has occupied most of the last couple of months seems to have finally reached a tame conclusion. 

Barcelona are expected to keep the offer on the table whilst keeping it the same. There will be no changes in the offer made by the former La Liga champions and Dembele will be given another chance to think about his future at the club.

Ousmane Dembele’s career as a Barcelona player has been a case of ‘what if’ and not something that happened. The Frenchman’s Barca career has been injury-riddled and his attitude on and off the pitch haven’t exactly made him a fan favorite as well. Keeping that in mind, it is safe to say Barcelona are right about not caving into the player’s demands. But, as things stand, Dembele’s departure either January or next summer is looking likely. 

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