There are many factors that could hinder and impede negotiations, marked by the tension between the board and the player’s agent.
The team keeps repeating their desire for Dembele to play with them
Ousmane Dembele wants to stay at Barcelona, and Xavi also wants to keep the French winger beyond June 30, when his contract expires. But despite this willingness on both sides, everyone suspects that any agreement will not be easily reached. There are many factors that could hinder and impede negotiations, marked by the tension between the board and the player’s agent. Dembele has told the dressing room and Xavi that he wants to stay at the Camp Nou. For some time now, he has been consistent with that same message, and that is why his teammates keep repeating their desire for the former Borussia Dortmund player to continue pulling on the Blaugrana shirt.
In fact, as evidence of his desire, the French attacker insists that he has not committed himself to anyone else yet, although he only has three months left until he becomes a free agent. His entourage, logically, has maintained contacts with other entities, one of them Paris Saint-Germain, but there is no agreement with any other institution. After the club’s frustrated attempts to either renew or sell in January, he decided to take some time for reflection before deciding where his future lies. And that is where he is. But from those close to him, the word is that if Barcelona’s offer convinces him, he will sign immediately because they have always been his first choice.
Dembele has to understand the salary limits
Xavi’s interest in him continuing has led the club to consider resuming negotiations, even though many members of the board and several executives are against it. In any case, at the Camp Nou, they are clear that there are red lines that will not be crossed: Dembele has to understand the salary limits of the club and must lower his economic demands if he really wants to continue as a Blaugrana. In addition, he must accept that a large part of his salary will be incentive-based, depending on games, titles, etc. Additionally, the commitment he is showing now, his performance and professionalism in training, must be long-lasting. The executives insist that he must prove it if Barcelona really is his first choice. They want him to back up his words with deeds.
The French is waiting for a gesture from Barcelona with a good contract
The player, for his part, feels more valued under Xavi. The coach from Terrassa has regular individual talks with him. He has been able to motivate him and has expressed his admiration, which is essential for the French striker, who, in addition, feels more and more integrated within the group thanks to the excellent atmosphere generated by the former midfielder. But the player, whose agent has a significant influence, also wants to feel appreciated financially, mainly because he knows that other teams are willing to offer him a good contract. He is waiting for a gesture from Barcelona in that sense. Dembele’s future depends on several operations in the Barcelona market.
In the still complicated event that the Frenchman remains in Barcelona, the club would not sign Raphinha from Leeds. What is not so clear yet is whether they would also decide against making Adama Traore’s loan move from Wolves permanent.
In any case, the front office prefers not to rush into anything. There is nothing clear, as, at the moment, they see the former Borussia Dortmund player staying as unlikely. Firstly, they want to see how the forward’s agent goes into the next round of negotiations, which still has no date. Within the club, it is believed that this first meeting will give a significant indication of the future of Barcelona’s right flank.