Barcelona manager Xavi has commented on the situation revolving around Ousmane Dembele. In quotes reported by Fabrizio Romano, Xavi said: “Everyone goes where they want, even more, if the contract ends – look at Mbappé… I can only say positive things about Ousmane… We’ll see if Dembélé stays here. There is a negotiation, but I will always wish him the best”
Xavi Comments on Ousmane Dembele Situation
Ousmane Dembélé to PSG? Barça director Mateu Alemany: “Ousmane and his agents are the only ones who know what they will do. We have had no news for 6-7 months”. 🔴🇫🇷 #FCB
“I have a personal opinion on this Dembélé story… but it’s not important now”, Alemany added. pic.twitter.com/ewSURLtBMw
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 22, 2022
Non-Commital
Xavi’s comment doesn’t provide much insight either way on the future of Dembele. It is clear that Xavi likes and wants to keep Dembele in his team, but he understands that in the current era of free transfers the power is with the player in this situation. Barcelona are in a rebuilding stage, leading to an increase in transfer activity from them, with the club chasing multiple signings, including Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso.
In Demand
Ousmane Dembele was one of the more significant stories on transfer deadline day in January as he was linked with a move away from Barcelona, with Chelsea reportedly interested. Dembele is clearly not short on suitors. Now that he is available for free it’s certain that every major club will cast eyes toward the talented winger with Paris Saint-Germain reportedly eyeing up a deal for the French winger after the departure of Angel Di Maria.
Dembele has been building his reputation over the years after bursting onto the scene with Borussia Dortmund in the 2016/17 season before quickly being scooped up by Barcelona in 2017. He has since played 150 games for the Spanish side, scoring 32 goals.
Xavi will be hoping to keep a hold of the talented winger as Barcelona aim to wrestle the Spanish league title away from Madrid in the coming season, but as his comments show, he is aware that Dembele could well be out the door soon.
