Xavi has the keys to the Ousmane Dembele case
The Barcelona boss likes the winger and hopes to keep him at Camp Nou
Ousmane Dembele’s continuity is not ruled out. Or at least that’s what Barcelona and the player’s people say.
Their positions haven’t changed though. Barcelona are not offering more, Moussa Sissoko says it’s not enough for his player. But Xavi’s figure in the matter has gained importance.
He seems a mediating figure between them. Mateu Alemany and Sissoko’s relationship has worn down because of all the negotiations in the back half of the transfer window.
Xavi got in line with the club and left out the player for a couple of games but kept a good relationship with Dembele. The winger understood and is grateful to Xavi, who has looked after him since arriving.
Xavi has something to say in the negotiations too, as he can pressure Laporta and the board to keep Dembele. But also on the other side for the concessions, he must make if he wants to stay.
Negotiations broke down in winter because the two sides were far apart. Dembele and his agent thought the offer was too short-term and not financially up to the level of the praise that Xavi and Laporta gave him as one of the best in the world.
Another aspect that Dembele’s entourage did not like is how, while the club publicly spoke of the importance of Ousmane, they signed Ferran Torres, a player who occupies the same position as the Frenchman for more than 55 million euros.
Barcelona believes he’s been paid too much relative to his performance since he arrived, and their proposal is adjusted to the current situation in football and the reality of who Dembele is - someone who could be one of the best but has not proved it regularly enough.
From here, both sides are open to an agreement. The player’s people say he has signed nothing with another club. At Barcelona on the other hand, they fear he has some kind of pre-agreement. Let’s see how far Xavi goes to help him stay.
