Barcelona forward expected to renew contract despite offers from the Premier League

Ousmane Dembele’s contract saga at Barcelona has been dragging on for a long while now.

The Frenchman has entered the final year of his current deal with the Catalans and is no closer to renewing, despite talks being held with his agent, Moussa Sissoko, regularly over the past few months.

Barca, for their part, are intent on tying down the 24-year-old to a new deal, a desire that has only strengthened after the appointment of Xavi Hernandez as the manager. The club legend has made it clear on multiple occasions that he sees Dembele as an integral part of his plans for the future and is keen for the forward to commit his future to the club.

Recent reports have indicated that the Blaugrana have prepared a contract offer for Dembele, as per which he would be compensated based on his appearances. Such a move would make sense considering his injury problems – he has featured just twice this season in all competitions.

Now, reputed journalist Matteo Moretto is now claiming that people close to Dembele expect him to put pen to paper on a new deal with Barca. The reporter indicates that it is, in fact, the French star’s agent, Sissoko, that is holding out for offers from the Premier League, leading to delays in an extension.

Manchester United and Liverpool have been credited with an interest in the ex-Borussia Dortmund attacker quite regularly. The Red Devils are reported to have encouraged him to snub Barca and join them while there have also been murmurings of Newcastle wanting to sign him.

But, if the reliable Moretto’s update is to be believed, the former Rennes starlet intends to sign an extension with Barcelona. The Catalans, in turn, are also optimistic that the 24-year-old that a renewal could be completed, but ideally, they would want it sorted out before January, from which point on he will be able to speak to foreign clubs.