Key hours for Ousmane Dembele's future at Barcelona

Barcelona are focused on Ousmane Dembele’s renewal. They want to keep him beyond this summer. The negotiations are in their final stages and a decision will come likely at the end of this week or next. Anything could happen, and Dembele’s people are interested in a short-term renewal to keep Dembele at Barcelona and negotiate a little further down the line for a new deal.

The player does like his Xavi has treated him and his life in Barcelona, but knows many other big clubs want him including Juventus, Man United and Chelsea, although PSG could also make a move. He can be paid double what he earns at Barcelona elsewhere. 

That’s the main hurdle. Barcelona want Dembele to lower his salary and be paid more in bonuses. He could be the best paid in the squad if he performs and the team wins titles. Less fixed salary and more in objectives.

Barcelona have made him various offers to renew for four seasons. They are pushing the player to confirm his decision before the holidays and in the coming hours may make further contact that could prove decisive. One of the formulas is to renew for two seasons and improve a few parts of the contract. That could lead to new negotiation in a year’s time.

If Dembele renews then Barcelona’s salary bill will be lowered because of the amortisation of his deal over more seasons. That could be key in helping sign players in January. Barcelona otherwise will have to accelerate the exits of several other players to bring someone in.