Barcelona contract rebel still has a “30-40%” chance of renewing: Fabrizio Romano

Transfer market specialist Fabrizio Romano has provided fresh updates on the futures of Adama Traore and Ousmane Dembele. Speaking to the Gazzetta Dello FIVE, Romano said that while Barcelona are happy with Traore, they are not willing to pay €30 million for the winger in the summer.

As for Dembele, he says there’s still a slight chance of the Frenchman continuing at Camp Nou, although, everything hangs on whether Barcelona will, in fact, improve their current offer.

Traore has impressed one and all with his exhilarating displays, having already been involved in four goals (all assists) in eight appearances. The former La Masia graduate is on loan from Wolves and Barcelona do have a chance to make it permanent in the summer.

For that, however, they need to shell out as much as €30 million and judging by how the team is approaching the summer transfer market, it’s extremely unlikely that they’d pay the fee upfront. Hence, in order to negotiate, they are planning to add the likes of Francisco Trincao and Riqui Puig in the deal.

“There’s a buy option for €30 million, but what I’ve been told is that Barcelona want to negotiate with Wolves,” said Romano. 

“They are not planning to pay the fee directly but they want to negotiate since they have Trincao in the discussion. Riqui Puig wants to consider other opportunities too, so he could be added in this deal too.”

“Barça are happy with Adama, but I don’t see them paying €30 million for him,” he added.

Dembele, on the other hand, was given a new lease of life by Xavi after being discarded by the board during the January transfer window. The former Dortmund winger has repaid his manager’s faith by delivering Man of the Match performances against Athletico Bilbao and Osasuna, getting four assists and a goal from the two outings.

As things stand, though, Barcelona have no interest in improving their part of the deal and the situation is pretty much clear from both ends.

“There are chances [of him staying], yes, but not so many,” Romano said.

“That’s because the situation is tense. He is doing great on the pitch after Xavi protected him, but from the club’s perspective, they are not changing their part of the deal. They are saying ‘if you want to accept our proposal, we are happy. If not, the player can leave on a free transfer.’

The entities are rightly expected to part ways in the summer since Dembele and his agent are not happy with Barcelona’s offer.

“On Dembele’s side, they are not accepting Barca’s offer. So, I’m told they will explore the market in the coming months and make a decision. At this moment, Barcelona have a chance to keep him, but I’d say it’s no more than 30-40%,” Romano added.