Ousmane Dembele is ready to snub reported transfer interest from Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur after telling Xavi Hernandez today he wants to sign a new contract with Barcelona.
That’s according to Sport, who note the French forward held fresh talks with the Blaugrana boss on Tuesday. Dembele is currently set to be a free agent this June after rejecting his La Liga giant’s recent proposal. He penned his existing deal upon joining for £135.5m in 2017.
Dembele insists he is happy at the Camp Nou, despite rebuffing the club’s offer to extend his say. He also thanked Xavi for the support he has shown since returning to Catalunya to replace Ronald Koeman. The Barcelona legend has been sympathetic in public and private.
But Xavi reiterates to Dembele that he must make progress in discussions with Barcelona if he wants a new contract. He also feels the forward’s agent, Moussa Sissoko, has too much power, and wants the 24-year-old to take greater control and be involved in the process.
Yet Dembele does not agree, and wants Sissoko in control of negotiating the terms of any new deal. So, Barcelona will meet his representative on Wednesday to gain a definitive yes. Otherwise, they will speak with Xavi over how to handle the last six-months of his contract.
Dembele to deny Arsenal and Tottenham transfer with Barcelona contract wish
Barcelona are open to selling Dembele during January if he continually refuses their offers of a new contract. Sport also report the Blaugrana offered the winger to Newcastle United for €20m (£17m) as he is seduced by the idea of one day playing in the Premier League.
Finances have been the sticking point in Sissoko’s talks with the La Liga side. Foot Mercato claim Dembele wants a €40m-a-year (£642-a/w) gross wage, plus a €40m (£33.5m) bonus.
The 2018 World Cup winner’s demands could also price out two of his English admirers. Ian McGarry has claimed on the Transfer Window Podcast that Arsenal have spoken to Sissoko to discuss a transfer for Dembele as Mikel Arteta rates the Barcelona winger very highly.
Additionally, TuttoMercatoWEB report Dembele is a ‘dream’ transfer target for Tottenham chief Fabio Paratici. Spurs’ Managing Director has likewise spoken with Sissoko to discuss a move to north London. Antonio Conte is also ready to back a move to sign him in January.
But Dembele’s likely to deny Arsenal and Tottenham his transfer – at least in January – by prioritising a new Barcelona contract. And in doing so, deny Arteta and Conte a player who Koeman considered a different sort of threat to Lionel Messi while at the Camp Nou helm.
“I like the player because he offers something different to [Antoine] Griezmann, [Francisco] Trincao or Leo,” Koeman said, via Marca. “He’s excellent in one-on-one situations and can play with both feet. Hopefully, he continues at this level.”
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