FC Barcelona And Dembele Close To Contract Renewal Agreement

FC Barcelona and Ousmane Dembele are close to agreeing a new contract renewal for the player.

The €105mn ($110mn) signing from Borussia Dortmund in 2017 became a free agent at midnight on Friday after his original five-year contract expired.

Barca made a proposal to Dembele and his camp at the turn of 2022, which was turned down by notorious agent Moussa Sissoko.

Instead of sending Dembele to the stands to see out the rest of his deal, however, as many fans wanted, first team coach Xavi Hernandez insisted on taking him under his wing and extracted top form from the winger that helped the Blaugrana qualify for the Champions League next term.

Chelsea were closely linked to snatching Dembele away from Camp Nou, with his former Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel having reportedly met the World Cup winner to explain what his role would be in the PremierPINC
League team.

In recent weeks, however, it has been reported that Dembele may stay put at Barca after all and accept their original offer. And SPORT now say on Saturday that an agreement with the 25-year-old is close with Barca of the belief it will be finalized in the next few days.

As Barca start their preseason camp on Monday, July 4, and head out the US for a tour that takes in friendlies against Juventus and Real Madrid midway through this month, neither side wants any further delays.

In order to become a Barca player once more, it is said that Dembele will take a 40% pay cut which puts him in line to earn something like the €6-7mn ($6.2-7.3mn) per year that teen sensation Ansu Fati currently takes home.

While it was previously thought that Dembele staying would end Barca’s interest in Leeds United wideman Raphinha, Friday saw reports claim that the La Liga giants have had a €60mn ($62.5mn) bid for the Brazil international accepted and that there is a feeling the two players are compatible in the same side.

Dembele extending does not free much needed space on the wage bill, but the potential €65mn ($68mn) plus add-ons sale of Frenkie de Jong to Manchester United would.