Barcelona given boost as key player willing to stay at club despite having €50m exit clause - Reports
Barcelona have reportedly been handed a huge boost in their bid to keep Ousmane Dembele at the club beyond 2024.
The French winger was on the verge of leaving on a free transfer last summer but signed a two-year extension with a €50 million release clause. Barca understandably don't want to lose their star winger for that amount this summer.
According to journalist Fernando Polo (h/t transfer expert Fabrizio Romano), the club have been in negotiations with Dembele to extend his stay at the club. The player's agent, Moussa Sissoko, has informed the Blaugrana that they will not use the buyout clause to leave this summer.
The confirmation from Sissoko's side will come as a relief to Xavi Hernandez, who reportedly considers Dembele untouchable in his team. He ended last season with eight goals and nine assists in 35 games across competitions.
The 26-year-old, who cost Barca €105 million in transfer fees in 2017, is expected to retain his spot down the right flank over Raphinha next season. His pace, ball control, passing and finish skills make him one of the tougherst wingers to mark.
According to El Nacional last month, Paris Saint-Germain were reportedly keen to sign the player, but it seems Barca could succeed in keeping him at the club beyond the summer.
Dembele sets UEFA Champions League goal for Barcelona next season
Ousmane Dembele has said that Barcelona will aim to win the UEFA Champions League next season after back-to-back group-stage exits.
Barca finished third in Group C last season, below Bayern Munich and eventual runner-ups Inter Milan. Dembele featured in all six group games and scored one goal and provided two assists.
In an interview with the club website earlier this month, the former Borussia Dortmund winger set out Barca's goals for next season:
"Everyone wants to win the Champions League again because we haven't achieved it for many years. I hope everything goes well in Europe next season. The Champions League does not forgive, and if you make a mistake, you are out.
"You always have to be very focused. This is so. But we're still very excited about the Champions League, and we'll see what happens next season"
Dembele has never progressed beyond the semifinal of the competition while Barcelona last won it in the 2014-15 season.