Barcelona manager was asked about the Frenchman’s situation
Barcelona is getting ready to face Athletic Bilbao in the Round of 16 of the Copa del Rey. These two teams have faced each other on countless occasions in this competition. Both sides are coming off defeats in the Spanish Super Cup to Real Madrid.
Xavi Hernandez gave his customary pre-match press conference but the focus seemed to be less on the game and more on the current contract dilemma surrounding Ousmane Dembélé.
The club has reportedly set a deadline where they want the French forward to give his response to their offer.
If he rejects the offer, Barcelona could do to him what they did to Ilaix Moriba, which is send him to the stands for the rest of the season. However, the decision will come down to Xavi and it’s something he is not considering.
"“That is not something that I am contemplating,” Xavi said. “Either he renews or we look for an exit. It is one thing or the other.”Source: ESPN"
That solution is easier said than done as Dembélé and his representative are unlikely to go that route considering he only has six months left on his deal.
Ousmane Dembélé will not accept being sold six months before his contract ends. The only viable way for him to leave, is to join a team on loan until June without a buy option, as was done with Arda Turan. It's still very complicated. [@EduPolo]
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) January 19, 2022
Xavi is aware of how complicated the situation is and how it could affect his plans going forward. But it is evident he has had enough of the ordeal and will leave it up to Mateu Alemany and the rest of the board to find a solution if a deal on an extension is not reached.
"“The situation with Ousmane is difficult,” Xavi said in a news conference on Wednesday. “The club have decided that if he doesn’t renew, we will have to look for a solution.“[Director of football] Mateu Alemany has been in talks with the player and his agent for five months. It’s been too long now. Either he renews or we look for a solution.”Source: ESPN"
With the match against Athletic Bilbao set for Thursday, Xavi is going to wait until gameday to release his squad list only after knowing the final outcome with regards to Dembélé.
The player has supposedly told the manager he wants to stay but his agent continues to say otherwise and Barcelona are not going to meet their demands, no one truly knows where Dembélé’s head is at.
Dembélé was going to be in the starting line-up alongside Ansu Fati and Ferran Torres. If things don’t go as planned, Abde Ezzalzouli will take his place.