Barca make a U-turn on Dembele?
BARCELONA — FC Barcelona have given a fresh update on Ousmane Dembele’s contract situation after the club had instructed him to leave before the end of the last transfer window.
After a breakdown in contract negotiations between Barca and the player's representatives, the Catalan giants resorted to asking the French star to leave back in January.
It is understood that the Blaugrana refused to meet the 24-year-old’s demands, with the club’s chief Mateu Alemany, saying: “We understand Dembele’s decision is to not continue and we’ve communicated our decision.
“We want players that are committed to the club and we have told him he has to leave the club as soon as possible,” he added, according to Football.London.
Dembele’s hefty requirements included a €30 million signing bonus, €15 million for his representatives’ fees, and €35 million in wages over the duration of his new contract, per Spanish outlet Sport. Despite the reported tension between the winger and the side’s hierarchy, the LaLiga outfit has seemingly backtracked on Alemany’s statement, with sporting advisor Jordi Cruyff revealing that it is now a complicated issue.
“The situation regarding Dembele’s renewal is not easy,” Cruyff said, via Sport, after the Frenchman recorded two assists in Barca’s win over Osasuna on Sunday. “I think the most important thing is that he continues to help the team and the rest will be seen.
“He has played a good game, like many players who end their contract with the future already done and others who are looking for a better contract.
“That he continues helping the team to achieve the maximum objectives and the rest we cannot control.”