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Talks between Barcelona and Dembele hit a snag

By Ernesto Hernandez

Ousmane Dembele during the La Liga match between Sevilla v FC Barcelona at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on December 21, 2021 in Sevilla Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Ousmane Dembele during the La Liga match between Sevilla v FC Barcelona at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on December 21, 2021 in Sevilla Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images) /
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Ousmane Dembele of FC Barcelona during the La Liga Santander match between Sevilla v FC Barcelona at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on December 21, 2021 in Sevilla Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Ousmane Dembele of FC Barcelona during the La Liga Santander match between Sevilla v FC Barcelona at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on December 21, 2021 in Sevilla Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images) /

Negotiations between Barcelona and the player’s agent have become tense

Despite positivity coming out of Barcelona earlier in the month, negotiations between the club and Ousmane Dembélé’s agent have become tense as journalist Gerard Romero reports that the player is not going to sign a new contract.

https://twitter.com/gerardromero/status/1476289895094173701

The two sides are far apart in terms of a salary with the Catalan side using their current financial situation as to why they cannot accept the terms his agent is proposing. An excuse they do not but given they recently spent €55 million to sign Ferran Torres and are vying for Erling Haaland next summer.

https://twitter.com/ReshadRahman_/status/1476301104761745414

According to Sport, while the latest negotiations have not gone the way they expected, there is still a belief that a solution can be reached with the final result being Dembélé agreeing to an extension. The two sides are set for another meeting in the coming days.

Whether or not an agreement is reached, Barcelona now find themselves in a situation where they too need to make a decision. If the Frenchman rejects their proposal, do they look for a way out during the January transfer window or resign to losing him as a free agent come the end of the season?

The former Borussia Dortmund forward has long been rumored with a move away. His name was brought up during the talks with PSG for Neymar a couple of years ago and there was speculation he could have left before the start of this season as he was being linked with Manchester United.

The PSG deal didn’t happen because he wanted to stay and prove himself at Barcelona. The move to United was ruled out as they were interested in a loan.

Dembélé is one of the highest earners at the club and in an effort to lower it and abide by the La Liga restrictions, they initially presented an offer that would be based on appearances. In other words, the onus would be on him staying fit. They raised their offer when Dembélé’s representatives balked at the idea.

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With the latest rejection, all signs point to an exit for the 24-year-old. Given his injury history and Barcelona still needing to lower their wage bill, perhaps a fresh start is the best move all sides involved.

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