Mateu Alemany: Dembele must leave Barcelona as soon as possible

Mateu Alemany: Dembele must leave Barcelona as soon as possible

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The director of football's message was clear for the Frenchman on Thursday

Barcelona director of football Mateu Alemany says Ousmane Dembele must find a new club as soon as possible after turning down the chance to extend his contract.

Dembele, 24, is out of contract in June and has turned down several offers to renew from Barça over the past six months.

That led to coach Xavi Hernandez omitting him from the squad for Thursday's Copa del Rey game at Athletic Club, with Alemany explaining the situation.

"There have been negotiations with Ousmane and his agent since July more or less," he told club media. "In all that time, six or seven months, there has been dialogue, conversations, Barça have made different offers, looking for a way for him to stay with us.

"These offers have been rejected by his agents. And now, today being Jan. 20, with 11 days left in the window for him to renew his deal, it's obvious that the player does not want to stay at Barça and is not committed to the club.

"Therefore, with this scenario, we have told him and his agents that they should leave immediately and find a transfer before Jan. 31 because we want players that are committed to this project.

"Not being in the squad now is a consequence of all of that. We don't want players that don't want to be here. Obviously the coach has to have the final say, but he has the club's full support."

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