Barcelona: Ousmane Dembele contract renewal talks intensify

Ousmane Dembele was signed by Barcelona to replace Neymar who left for PSG in 2017. The supersonic speedster came with a lot of promise. The burgeoning youngster was expected to take on responsibilities of the flank and support the duo of Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi.

Playing for Barca is a demanding job, fans and viewers across the globe watch you and expect you to show you’re A-game week in week out. Often, youngsters like Dembele lacking maturity and poise crack in these situations.

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In the case of Dembele, injuries broke him down and so did the constant expectations. Injuries and fitness issues haunted him for three years, never allowing the Cules to watch Dembele’s true potential. It is only this season where he has managed to remain injury-free for most period of 2020-21 season. Dembele has been happy under Ronald Koeman and has matured into a better, fitter and reliable player.

While he still needs to polish his finishing skills, Dembele gives hope that he can be relied upon when the team are in need. His contract expires next summer and Barca are keen to keep him but understand that negotiations won’t be easy.

Barcelona have begun extension talks with Ousmane Dembele

According to Mundo Deprotivo, Barcelona have intensified talks for the renewal of Ousmane Dembele. The club are in contact with the representatives of the player as negotiations pick up pace in the summer.

The report further states that the talks are positive and on the right track but the final agreement won’t be easy. There are some differences on the financial and sporting side that will need to be resolved before the final OK arrives.

The Blaugrana absolutely want to keep Dembele and plan to offer him a new five-year deal. Initially, back in October, the Frenchman had received a proposal to extend for one more year so that Barcelona avert the risk of losing him for free in June 2022 and there won’t be any pressure of finding a buyer for him this summer if a renewal isn’t agreed upon.

Barcelona now plans to offer a more concrete deal now that Joan Laporta has returned as President and is keen to tie Dembele down for five years. The 24-year-old could be an essential part of the new sporting project.

Dembele has been a blissful entity under Koeman but the Dutchman’s future is up in the air. Irrespective of whether Koeman stays or departs, Dembele is considered an essential piece in the Barcelona system. In fact, he can now be considered as one of the more experienced players in the roster. He’s been with the Catalans for four seasons and is a part of the generation that will succeed the likes of Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, Gerard Pique and other ageing stars.

Will Ousmane Dembele renew his contract with the Catalans?