The Barcelona president says the Frenchman has turned down a deadline day offer to leave the club.
Despite their efforts to end Ousmane Dembele’s transfer saga this winter, Barcelona were not able to sell the winger. Dembele is spending the last six months of his contract, set for a free departure next summer.
This is the worst-case scenario for Barca, who hoped to find a late solution until the final hours of the transfer window. The club’s president Joan Laporta has opened up on Dembele’s situation.
“We made him a very good renewal offer,” Laporta told a press conference (via Marca).
“The player said no, first alleging that it was not a money issue, but then he focused on the economic aspect. The agent did not tell us anything and that has consequences for the club.”
He added: “I am very surprised that he did not accept a proposal he had from an English club. He did not want to. It did not make sense, because it was not good for him or for the club. He would have allowed us to work with more tranquillity in the market.
“The Dembele issue is difficult to understand. Dembele is in the team and Xavi [Hernandez] has to build a competitive squad with players who have a future at this club.
“We think that Dembele already has a contract with another club; they have insinuated that to us. What we will do is defend the interests of the club.”
According to several English sources, Chelsea are keen to sign Dembele as a free agent next summer. The Catalans warned the Frenchman to either sign a new contract or leave in January.
Barca manager Xavi Hernandez has frozen Dembele out of his squad in their recent games. It remains to be seen whether he will insist on his decision or he will re-integrate the winger into his squad.
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