Barcelona want to start the process for key forward’s renewal ahead of time

With the summer transfer window only a few months away, Barcelona will need to start figuring out a way to resolve their Financial Fair Play problems at the earliest.

Without addressing the issues which will require them to lower their wage bill by a mammoth €200 million, the Blaugrana will not be in a position to sign/register new players or register the contract renewals of current stars.

Barça will look to register the new deals of Gavi, Ronald Araujo, Sergi Roberto, and Marcos Alonso before signing new players in the summer. They might also have to register the contract extensions of Sergio Busquets and Alejandro Balde, should they pen new deals.

Meanwhile, SPORT is reporting that Barcelona also want to begin the process of renewing the contract of Ousmane Dembele ahead of time, so as to avoid another situation like last summer.

The 25-year-old came very close to leaving Camp Nou last summer after having failed to agree a new contract with the club. Dembele even spent close to ten days as a free agent before eventually signing a new two-year deal until 2024.

However, the Frenchman’s short-term extension meant that he will again enter the final year of his contract later this summer. And Barcelona want to avoid a repeat of last time’s situation and kick off the renewal process ahead of time.

First contacts with Dembele’s entourage will likely be made once Busquets’ future is dealt with. Xavi is delighted with the winger’s performances this season and the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner has himself admitted that he is very happy at the club.

However, a renewal will depend on the financial offer that the Catalan giants can make keeping in mind the Financial Fair Play problems that will limit their spending powers.

Dembele is currently out on the sidelines after picking up a thigh injury during the game against Girona in January. The forward is expected to be back in action for Barcelona’s Copa del Rey semi-final second-leg clash against Real Madrid on April 5.