Why is Ousmane Dembele happier than ever at Barcelona?

Despite Barca’s attempts to offload him in January, life at Camp Nou has improved for Dembele.

Ousmane Dembele is ‘happier than ever’ at Barcelona thanks to the support of his friends and teammates.

The 24-year-old Frenchman’s current deal runs until the summer. To avoid losing him for free, the club attempted to make him leave in the January transfer window. But while an unnamed Premier League side made an offer, the forward stayed put at Camp Nou – much to president Joan Laporta’s frustration.

Rather than see Dembele spend the rest of his reported €193,000-per-week contract in exile, Xavi Hernandez recalled him to the team.

The Barcelona manager has since asked the supporters to stop jeering the player and brought him on as a substitute during Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Espanyol.

Dembele telling the entire Barcelona bench to move down a chair so he could sit next to Aubameyang 😂 pic.twitter.com/GGLI7xJct2

— 101 Great Goals (@101greatgoals) February 7, 2022

Aubameyang’s arrival a key factor

According to Diario Sport, Dembele is indeed ‘happier than ever’. His relationship with the club may have taken a sour turn, but the dressing room is still very supportive of him.

The biggest reason for the Frenchman’s happiness, however, is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The pair played alongside each other at Borussia Dortmund during the 2016/17 campaign. In their short time, they developed a strong rapport and have been inseparable since Auba joined Barcelona this winter.

Dembele also enjoys a good relationship with his French compatriots Clement Lenglet and Samuel Umtiti and the younger members of the squad, even those who don’t quite get his jokes.