Alemany's Dembele meeting shows how forward's Barça situation has changed

Ousmane Dembele's situation at Barcelona has changed radically. So much that from being pushed out the door after talks broke down with his agent, Moussa Sissoko, broke down, negotiations are not back on with director of football Mateu Alemany to renew his contract at Camp Nou, which his current terms expiring on June 30.

The main reason for the change is Xavi Hernandez. When he took over in November, he said Dembele could be the best in the world in his position. Achieving that has become a challenge for the coach, although that challenge was interrupted in January when talks over a new deal stalled. Barça told him to leave but he opted to stay despite the threat of being banished to the stands for the last six months of his contract.

But when the transfer window closed, Xavi brought him back into the squad, despite other voices at the club being against that. When he returned to the pitch, fans whistled him, but he has turned that around, too. Since then, no injuries, one goal and eight assists in seven LaLiga games. Xavi is the one to credit. He has dedicated a lot of time and video analysis to the French winger.

The Barça coach is very satisfied with Dembele and for that reason has also been working on convincing him to stay and re-open contract renewal negotiations. The forward is convinced. He has told his coach and his teammates that he wants to stay. He knows there is a good project at the club now and that he can be at his best in Xavi's system.

Xavi's demands have been heard at the club and, as first revealed by Gerard Romero, Alemany traveled to Marrakech to meet with Sissoko this week. Barça have always suspected there was an agreement with Paris Saint-Germain, but perhaps nothing was signed. If that's the case, both parties will return to the negotiating table. The club are clear that Sissoko must drop what he was asking for previously, but after the latest movements, they believe a renewal is closer than ever.