Laporta, Xavi and his teammates never miss an opportunity in their public appearances to take up the cause of his contract renewal.
Barcelona is still in a very delicate financial situation
Barcelona have set about the task of renewing the contract for Ousmane Dembele. An operation that seemed entirely out of the question a few months ago is now back on the table due to the excellent performances from the Frenchman in recent matches. Laporta, Xavi and his teammates never miss an opportunity in their public appearances to take up the cause of his contract renewal. But not all wishes can be fulfilled. Barcelona is still in a very delicate financial situation, and Mateu Alemany is juggling many economic issues to cover the deal in the annual balance sheet.
After several weeks in which there had been no contact between the two parties, Mateu Alemany travelled to Marrakech to meet with the Frenchman’s agent, Moussa Sissoko. Relations had broken down after the player did not accept the contract extension in December, refused to leave in the winter transfer window and turned down the club’s offer of his release. Seeing how well the player is performing, the club’s sporting directors took the first step and decided to arrange a meeting. The new coach has been vital in the club’s change of stance. He was the leading supporter of Dembele and pushed for him to return to the team in February and not be left in the stands as the board had wanted. Xavi has always had confidence in the Frenchman, he has shown it match after match, and he has managed to integrate him into the group.
Barcelona considers Dembele a valuable player
In addition, Xavi has asked Laporta to try to renew Dembele’s contract. Without Xavi’s determination in this matter, everything would have been different. The meeting served as an icebreaker between the parties. It was not a negotiation per se in which the two sides started talking about money. It was a meeting to establish positions after a long period of no contact. What is clear is that both sides are willing to talk about continuing the relationship. The club considers Dembele a valuable player, and the Frenchman hasn’t signed anything with another club; he can decide his future and stay at Camp Nou. The financial negotiations will begin within the next few days, and there is no date for the next meeting.
The club can’t spend too much money
FFP is a headache for Barcelona in any economic transaction they consider. The club’s wage bill has to be reduced to be able to bring in players and renew existing contracts. Barcelona cannot spend too much, and the player knows that he cannot ask for anything extra because the club cannot afford more. But at Barcelona, they are also clear that if they do not renew the contract for Dembele, they will have to look at the market and to sign a player with his characteristics will cost a lot of money. Dembele has suitors. PSG and Premier League teams are interested in signing him on a free transfer. It remains to be seen what finally happens with Mbappe because his future will influence any move PSG make for Dembele.
Several English teams have inquired about him and have made moves. Barcelona have the advantage that the player is now happy at Camp Nou. Dembele is playing well; he has the coach’s confidence, he can see that there is a project for the future, and he feels integrated into the group. And that is worth money. Barcelona can’t offer as many millions as others, but they can offer this package to the player.