Barcelona optimistic about renewal of 24-year-old contract rebel after latest meeting

Barcelona met with the agent of Ousmane Dembele on Tuesday night and it has left the club more hopeful and optimistic about the possibility of a renewal, reports Mundo Deportivo.

Dembele looked like he had one foot out of the door when negotiations completely broke down in January earlier this year. However, things have changed since, as the Frenchman has been playing his best football in five years at the club under Xavi Hernandez.

The 24-year-old is enjoying his game and the club are reaping the rewards of the faith Xavi has shown in him. It has led the Catalan giants to reconsider their stance on his contract situation.

Barcelona director Mateu Alemany travelled to Morocco to restart negotiations with Dembele’s agent, Moussa Sissoko. While there were no substantial developments during that meeting, it at least paved the way for the two parties to resume talks after a breakdown in communication.

On Tuesday, Sissoko arrived in Barcelona to further continue discussions. He is believed to have met with the club officials over dinner and the report states that there is some positivity within the camp about an agreement over an extension.

Dembele wants to continue at Barça while the club are also keen on retaining him. The negotiations are complicated and a resolution is yet to be reached. But it is claimed that both parties are getting closer to arriving at a compromise.

It is claimed that a short-term two-year deal could be a satisfactory solution for both parties. It would make sense seeing as the club would retain the player and can be in a position to offer better terms in a couple of years when the financial situation improves.

Barça had fears that the forward already had an agreement with a different club. But those fears have been allayed for now. What now remains to be seen is if the Frenchman renews his contract to prolong his stay at Camp Nou beyond this season.