‘Leave the club’: Arsenal and Tottenham target has been transfer-listed

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Barcelona have told Ousmane Dembele to leave the La Liga giants this month, as reported by Marca, with Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Newcastle United watching closely. 

Upon taking over from Ronald Koeman at the Camp Nou, Xavi Hernandez wasted no time in telling everyone who would listen that he wanted Dembele to sign a new, long-term contract. 

Xavi’s patience only stretches so far, however. 

Despite re-instating Dembele into the first-team picture following another injury lay-off, and despite signing his praises on numerous occasions, the Barca boss appears to have accepted defeat after months of fruitless negotiations.

Dembele cost cash-strapped Barcelona a staggering £135 million when he joined from Borussia Dortmund in 2017.

Four years on, the five-time Champions League winners are now desperate to ensure they recoup an (admittedly tiny) fraction of that eye-watering outlay. 

“We began conversations with Dembele’s agent in July,” explains tough-talking director Mateu Alemany.

“Six or seven months have already passed since then in which we have talked and Barcelona have made different offers. We have tried to find a way for the player to stay with us.

“Offers have been made that were systematically rejected by his agents.

“Now, eleven days before entering the final phase of his contract, the club understand that the player doesn’t want to renew. He’s not committed to Barcelona’s project.” 

Will Ousmane Dembele leave Barcelona for the Premier League?

According to Tuttomercatoweb, Antonio Conte’s Tottenham are willing to take a punt on the injury-hit World Cup winner.

Mikel Arteta is also a big fan. Arsenal are discussing a move to the Emirates with Dembele’s representatives (Transfer Window Podcast).

Newly-minted Newcastle United, meanwhile, are reportedly offering Dembele a club-record £245,000-a-week contract.

No one seems to know, however, if Newcastle’s interest is serious or merely the result of so-called ‘agent talk’ (FootMercato).

“He and his representatives have been told to leave the club,” Alemany adds. “And seek a transfer before January 31^st. We don’t want to have a player who isn’t committed to the project.”

According to AS, Barcelona will leave Dembele out of tonight’s Copa del Rey clash with Athletic Bilbao. 

Presumably in the hope that he avoids yet another injury, one that could wreck their hopes of cashing in before the month is out.