Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez is confident Ousmane Dembele will sign a new contract amid reported transfer interest from Tottenham Hotspur, via quotes by TuttoMercatoWEB.
Dembele will be a free agent at the end of the season having so far elected against penning an extension. He joined the Blaugrana on a €10m-a-season (£163k-a/w), five-year deal in 2017 after leaving Borussia Dortmund for an initial £97m.
The Camp Nou outfit want to retain Dembele, but cannot afford to keep the 24-year-old at any cost. AS report Barcelona offered a new contract on reduced terms, but featuring very lucrative bonuses based on games played.
However, Dembele has not replied to Barcelona’s proposal and the club fear he considers it insufficient. Additionally, AS report the Frenchman has no intention of accepting a lesser wage, knowing he can seal a vast pay day by leaving Catalunya as a free agent next June.
Xavi confident Tottenham target Dembele will sign new Barcelona contract
Xavi, though, remains confident that Dembele and Barcelona can reach an agreement over his new contract. The Blaugrana coach also spoke with the forward on Thursday to discuss his future at the Cam Nou.
“I had a meeting with him yesterday,” Xavi said. “I am optimistic, he is happy and wants to continue with us. He plays well, creates chances. He gives us a lot and is a player capable of making a difference. I’m sure he can renew.”
Xavi’s view on Dembele and Barcelona agreeing a contract may be a blow for Tottenham’s transfer pursuit. Mundo Deportivo noted earlier this month that Spurs Managing Director Fabio Paratici approached the forward’s camp to debate a move to north London.
Paratici sought to sign Dembele while in charge at Juventus and now wants to gift the 24-year-old to Antonio Conte. He is also willing to offer the 27-cap dynamo ‘a lot of money’.
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