The video posted by FC Barcelona on its Twitter account on the morning of Thursday January 20 had the effect of a bomb. Mateu Alemany, football director of the Catalan club, spoke about the situation of Ousmane Dembélé. His message is clear: the Blaugranas want to separate from the French as soon as possible.
This public speech from the highest authorities of the club seems to close the Barcelona adventure of the striker. Four reasons can explain this decision.
Because the negotiations for its extension are not progressing
Is Ousmane Dembélé still undecided or just too greedy? Negotiations have been dragging on for more than six months now between the French player and the Catalan leaders. “Barça made different offers, they were systematically refused. It seems obvious to us that the player does not want to continue playing at FC Barcelona.” forward Mateu Alemany to justify the dismissal of the tricolor international, not selected for the King’s Cup match against Bilbao.
Mateu Alemany: “Ousmane Dembélé will not be traveling to Bilbao. 11 days from the end of the transfer window, he still has not extended and he has been refusing our offers for 6 months through his agent. We believe that he does not want not be part of our project and we are considering leaving” pic.twitter.com/IQBjoUumhl
— FC Barcelona (@fcbarcelona_fra) January 20, 2022
A vision refuted by the Dembélé clan. “Nothing is done”, according to Moussa Sissoko, his agent who spoke on RMC Sport on Tuesday. “There is no discussion and threats not to play on their side anymore. It’s forbidden”, adds the striker’s representative. However, the divorce seems consummated when Xavi had affirmed from his presentation that the extension of Dembélé was one of his objectives. An agreement had even been announced in December by the Catalan press, wrongly.
Because his contract ends in less than six months
To sell Ousmane Dembélé, it’s now or never. The former Rennais, at the end of the contract in June 2022, could leave free this summer. For Barca, who would lose the player without receiving a transfer fee, it would be the worst possible scenario. Determined to see the Frenchman leave, the leaders therefore wish to sell him before January 31, the end date of the winter transfer window.
Bought from Dortmund at a high price (150 million with bonuses), he became in 2017 the second most expensive player in the world at just 20 years old. Barça therefore wants to be able to recover part of its bet, without however hoping for a staggering sum. With only six months on the contract, Ousmane Dembélé’s market value is low, knowing that he can already find a deal with the club he wants for June.
Because FC Barcelona has huge financial difficulties
Largely responsible for Lionel Messi’s departure to Paris, FC Barcelona’s colossal debt is on everyone’s mind in Catalonia. Barça can no longer afford any madness. The club have already had to lower the salaries of many players to be able to sign the new signings. Latest example: the extension of Samuel Umtiti, who will however receive less money. This allowed the Blaugranas to validate the arrival of Ferran Torres.
A departure from Dembélé in January could allow FC Barcelona, in addition to receiving transfer compensation, to reduce its payroll and therefore to be able to recruit this winter or summer.
Because athletic performance is not there
Losing Ousmane Dembele doesn’t seem to be heartbreaking for Barcelona fans either. Arrived in the summer of 2017, he only played 129 games in the red and blue jersey, an average of just over 28 games per season while FC Barcelona played around sixty on average over this period. . His 31 goals scored will not remain in the annals of the five-time Champions League winner either.
Bringing this back to the timeline pic.twitter.com/gPKvtbkxO5
— Baggio (@BaggioM10) January 11, 2022
The French is especially illustrated by his injuries. His repeated delays which have tarnished his image. Above all, he never confirmed the great hopes placed in him by the leaders. His huge miss in the Champions League semi-final at Liverpool in 2018-2019, on an offering from Messi, remained in everyone’s mind. Especially after the Reds’ comeback in the second leg.