Joan Laporta has been speaking to the media after the January transfer window closed, where Arsenal and Tottenham target Ousmane Dembele was discussed.
What’s the story?
Well, the fact Dembele remains at Barcelona is a huge surprise.
Mateu Alemany – Director of Football at Barcelona – told the Frenchman to “leave immediately” after he refused the offer of a new contract.
It came after Alemany revealed that Barcelona had been trying to negotiate with Dembele for roughly seven months.
According to Ian McGarry – speaking on The Transfer Window Podcast – Arsenal wanted to bring Dembele to the Premier League.
Elsewhere, it was Tutto Mercato Web who revealed that Spurs failed with a late move to sign the £135.5m forward.
Now, Laporta – President of Barcelona – has shared his views.
Arsenal & Tottenham target leaves Joan Laporta baffled
As quoted by Fabrizio Romano, Laporta said: “We think Ousmane Dembele has an agreement in place with another club. He didn’t want to leave the club in January. It’s really difficult to understand his position, makes no sense for him and for the club”.
We share his views.
Dembele has been told, in no uncertain terms, to leave the Camp Nou, so why didn’t he?
Perhaps Arsenal and Tottenham didn’t meet his personal demands, or maybe the Frenchman didn’t want a move to the Premier League.
Whatever the reason, surely it would’ve been better for Dembele to move somewhere he will play, rather than stay and rot on the sidelines.
We don’t want to make assumptions, but you have to question the winger’s desire to play football after hearing Laporta’s comments.
Hopefully, if a summer move to the Premier League materialises, we will be able to see the Dembele of old, who terrorised defences at Borussia Dortmund.
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