Barcelona is optimistic about Ousmane Dembele’s contract extension. The 24-year-old attacker’s current contract expires in mid-2022, putting him in danger of entering his last contract year. Mundo Deportivo writes, however, that the talks between Barcelona and Dembélé’s entourage are so harmonious that there is now optimism about a good outcome.
Barcelona paid 135 million euros in the summer of 2017 to take over Dembele from Borussia Dortmund. The French wing attacker has struggled with injuries in the past three seasons, but Ronald Koeman is, according to Mundo Deportivo despite his injury susceptibility, he was particularly charmed by the fast and agile Dembélé. Koeman called on Dembele 44 times last season, a number that could have been even higher in December without a hamstring injury.
Contract negotiations between Barcelona and Dembele have been quite difficult in recent months. Due to the dire financial situation, Dembélé has to settle for a salary reduction, which has long been a stumbling block. Now the optimistic sounds indicate that Dembele will adapt to the financial situation at Barcelona, settle for a lower salary and will soon be signing a new contract. This has dispelled the worst fears for Barcelona, because a transfer-free departure of Dembele, once attracted for 135 million euros, was considered a specter.
Barcelona were therefore prepared to let Dembele sit in the stands for an entire season if he were to aim for a transfer-free departure. Incidentally, the Catalans still have to do without Dembélé at the beginning of this season. He suffered a hamstring injury during the European Championship, which he had surgery on in June. Dembélé is now working in Paris on his recovery, which will take about four months. Incidentally, Barcelona also expects to reach an agreement soon with Gerard Pique about a salary cut.
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