Barcelona want to renew key forward, but cannot increase salary; player wants to continue

A recent report from Diario SPORT has offered an update on the future of Ousmane Dembele, claiming that Barcelona are exploring the possibility of renewing the player’s contract.

Dembele’s current deal at Camp Nou expires in 2024. But the club want to extend his contract in order to avoid a soap opera like last time. The player wants to continue at Barça, having established himself as one of Barcelona’s key players under Xavi Hernandez.

Xavi was, in fact, a key factor in rejuvenating Dembele, with the forward performing brilliantly for Barça since the start of 2022. His creativity out wide, coupled with his pace make him an invaluable asset to the Catalan attack.

However, Barcelona are facing hurdles in renewing Dembele. Due to the ongoing economic turmoil, the club are not in a position to offer the player a higher salary.

Dembele, for his part, is determined to continue at Camp Nou, but his representatives suggest the player deserves a better deal. It is no secret that Barcelona had a strained relationship with Dembele’s agent prior to his renewal last year.

Dembele was close to leaving Barcelona in early 2022, but a successful. end to the 2022/23 campaign, coupled with the player’s close relationship with Xavi, compelled the Frenchman to renew his contract till 2024, with a salary much lower than what he demanded.

The report suggests Barcelona want to reach an agreement with the former Dortmund starlet before the end of the season, but the job could be tricky. The club do not rule out a summer exit for the French international if an agreement cannot be reached.

Dembele is not the only winger facing an uncertain future at Barcelona, with the Blaugrana also not ruling out the possibility of a sale for Raphinha. The Brazilian has a lot of clout in the Premier League and his exit could pave the way for the club to possibly afford a higher salary to Dembele.