Barcelona are now working to convince Ousmane Dembele to sign a new contract. The La Liga side are eager to fend off interest from Liverpool and Newcastle United in his transfer.
That is according to Mundo Deportivo, which reports Barcelona are turning their attention to renewing several contracts. Camp Nou chiefs have also summoned Moussa Sissoko, the agent of Dembele, to talks. They eye new deals for Sergi Roberto and Sergio Busquets, too.
Dembele only agreed to extend his stay in Catalunya through to June 2024 when he signed new terms last July. Barcelona accepted at the time that the club would have to hold talks with Sissoko again imminently. That moment has now come with the forward impressing.
The 25-year-old has convinced Barcelona chiefs and manager Xavi that he deserves a new contract with his form this season. Dembele has offered five goals and five assists through 18 La Liga games, starting in 14. He has eight goals and seven assists in all competitions.
Now, Barcelona have called Sissoko to Camp Nou for talks to signal their interest in a new contract for Dembele. The Blaugrana are desperate to get the forward to put pen to paper on fresh terms as his release clause will half from €100m (£90m) to €50m (£45m) this year.
Barcelona contract wish to ruin Liverpool and Newcastle’s Dembele transfer plans
Dembele’s release clause drops to €50m (£45m) on August 1 and is within range of several Premier League clubs. But Barcelona are not overly concerned that the 35-cap France star wants a move to England. He has already informed the Blaugrana of his wish to stay there.
Liverpool and Newcastle have begun targeting a transfer for Dembele ahead of his release clause at Barcelona plummeting in value. Calciomercato.it reports that the Anfield and St James’ Park natives could easily afford to trigger the clause and deny Juventus his transfer.
Yet any hopes Liverpool and Newcastle have of securing Dembele’s transfer will plummet if he agrees to a new contract at Barcelona. The 2018 World Cup winner has been at Camp Nou since 2017 when he pushed to leave Borussia Dortmund for £97m, rising to £135.5m.
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