According to Fabrizio Romano, La Liga champions Barcelona are continuing negotiations for a contract extension with Ousmane Dembele. As the season draws to a close, the Frenchman aims to stay at the club he has supported since childhood.
Barcelona and Ousmane Dembele Working on Extension
Ousmane Dembele’s Attacking Contributions
Across 33 appearances this season, Dembele scored 8 goals and had 7 assists in all competitions: coming on nine times as a substitute. Despite playing fewer minutes than fellow wingers Raphinha and Ansu Fati, he has certainly made an impression on his club and manager with his creative abilities in front of goal.
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After signing the Ex-Dortmund player in 2017, the attacker is living up to the hype his price tag suugested. Goal-scoring leader Robert Lewandowski declared he is among the world’s best wingers while Xavi has declared him an ‘untouchable’ player.
The winger was also a staple for his national team during the 2022 World Cup, starting in six out of seven total games while providing two assists during their campaign in Qatar.
The Potential Decrease in Dembele’s Minutes
With the Increasing likelihood that club legend Lionel Messi will return to Spain, it is entirely possible that Dembele could lose game time next term.
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Although the forward has appeared on both sides of the wing, the bulk of his minutes were played in the same position where the Argentinian thrived during his 20+ year career at Camp Nou. If the World Cup-winning captain returns anywhere near the form of his prime, the 26-year-old might have condensed playing time.
Dembele’s Contract Stipulations
The current contract between the player and the club runs through June 2024. However, there is a £50 million release clause that provides a possible complication. Since both parties have such good relations with each other, it appears that a move elsewhere is not wanted by either side. Unless an abrupt move to trigger the clause is made by a wealthy competitor, Barcelona fans can expect the two-footed talent to remain with the Catalan club.
