Xavi wants Barcelona to make one final push to renew Dembele's deal
The French forward's contract at Camp Nou expires on June 30
He has still not signed a deal with any club for next season
Xavi Hernandez has asked the Barcelona hierarchy to make one last effort to get Ousmane Dembele to stay at Camp Nou this summer.
Dembele's contract expires on June 30 and no decision has been made on his future yet. Xavi feels he can be an important part of his project if he renews -- and with no transfer fee, it would be a more affordable operation than possible replacements.
Xavi is still working on his squad for 2022-23 with a lot of unknowns. The team needs strengthening, but to do it they need players to leave. However, there have been hardly any outgoings.
That's not Dembele's case though. Xavi has always counted on him. The alternatives if he leaves are Raphinha (Leeds) and Di Maria (PSG).
Negotiations to renew Dembele have not been easy. Sporting director Mateu Alemany has faced huge financial demands from the player's agent.
Yet with a week left on his deal, Dembele has still not signed with any other club, as he has let Xavi know. He even expressed recently, once again, a desire to continue at Barça.
Reports in England say Chelsea's interest in Dembele has cooled.
