Moussa Sissoko has told RMC Sport that Barcelona are effectively forcing reported Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur transfer target Ousmane Dembele to leave in their contract talks.
The forward is out of contract in June, but Sissoko has yet struck a deal with the Blaugrana to extend. Instead, the agent feels the La Liga giants are pushing Dembele to the exit door.
Barcelona have threatened to leave Dembele on the sidelines for the final six-months of his deal if he does not renew. The Catalan side issued a take it or leave it offer and threatened his playing time. It is the second time the club’s hierarchy have used the method, as well.
Former Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde personally called Dembele to warn the winger he would not play in late August 2019. The Camp Nou natives wanted him to join Paris Saint-Germain so they could re-sign Neymar. But he stayed put, so Neymar also stayed in France.
Sissoko adamant on Dembele contract situation
Sissoko is adamant he and Dembele will not cave in to Barcelona’s threats in order to sign a new contract. He also acknowledges they have made a big request on personal terms, but finances have not dictated Dembele’s decisions previously.
“We are not here to fuel the debates on social networks, but the truth must be told,” he said. “Yes, we have demanding demands. But we have already shown that Ousmane’s career choices were not dictated by the money, otherwise he wouldn’t be here.
“Then if Barcelona wanted to negotiate, they could have tried to come to the table with us to discuss. Except that there is no discussion and threats of no longer playing on their side. And it’s forbidden. We will assert Ousmane Dembele’s rights if necessary.
“We don’t know what we’re going to do, nothing has been finalised. But the leaders are losing Ousmane alone. From the start, we have shown that we want to discuss – with conditions, of course, but without closing the door.”
Arsenal and Tottenham to monitor Barcelona situation
RMC Sport add Dembele rejected bigger deals with Real Madrid and Manchester United to join Barcelona in 2017. He completed a £97m move from Borussia Dortmund, which could rise to £135.5m with add-ons. But he is now nearing the end of the five-year deal penned.
The Frenchman has asked for a €40m-a-year (£640-a/w) gross salary, plus a €40m (£33m) bonus to sign a new contract, per Foot Mercato. But Barcelona refuse to pay Dembele what he has demanded, amid Arsenal and Tottenham tracking negotiations in view of transfers.
Journalist Ian McGarry claimed on the Transfer Window Podcast that Mikel Arteta rates the Barcelona ace very highly and Arsenal have discussed a transfer with Sissoko. Meanwhile, TuttoMercatoWEB note Dembele is Fabio Paratici’s ‘dream’ transfer target for Tottenham.
Barcelona will look to sell Arsenal and Tottenham target Dembele in the January transfer window if he does not sign a new contract. Sport report the Blaugrana value him at €20m (£16.5m), while the idea of playing in England also seduces Sissoko’s client.
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