MY ACCOUNT
Barcelona president Joan Laporta believes Ousmane Dembele already has an agreement to join another club when his contract expires at the end of the season.
Speaking on Tuesday, Laporta gave details of the negotiations that took place to renew the winger’s contract.
The 24-year-old was then told to find another club in the January transfer window after those talks broke down – he had been linked with a number of Premier League teams, as well as Paris Saint-Germain – but a move never materialised.
Barcelona director of football Mateu Alemany told Dembele last week he must leave “immediately”, which prompted the player to issue an angry riposte on social media.
Speaking at a news conference where Barca were outlining the details of the forensic review into financial irregularities by the previous regime, Laporta was asked about Dembele’s situation.
“Ousmane said that the renewal offer was very good, then it was an economic issue,” he explained. “And when we told him that it was already good enough, the agent took a position in not saying anything.
“Dembele wanted to accept a renewal. Then they wanted more and the issue got stuck. His agent didn’t say anything and that has consequences. We’ve done everything possible and he hasn’t accepted.”
Dembele has struggled since joining from Borussia Dortmund in 2017 for an initial €105million, and has suffered several injuries that have kept him from getting a sustained run in the team.
Laporta also revealed the player turned down an opportunity to sign for an unnamed English suitor and believes this was because he already has an agreement with another club for when his contract at the Camp Nou expires at the end of the current campaign.
“We are very surprised that he didn’t accept the offer from the English club either, he prefers to stay here,” Laporta said. “It’s not good for him or for the club.
“What happened with Dembele is difficult to understand. He is now in the squad and Xavi must work on the present but also on the future.
“We think Dembele has an agreement with another club.”
Barcelona signed three players in the January transfer window, registering the returning Dani Alves, along with Ferran Torres and the loan of Adama Traore, while it is also expected the club will announce Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on a free transfer imminently.
Laporta confirmed: “Aubameyang’s documents entered with one minute to go before midnight.”
