Just in: Barcelona contact Ousmane Dembele’s agent to restart contract talks

In a major development, as reported by SPORT, Barcelona have contacted the agent of Ousmane Dembele to resume negotiations over a new contract for the Frenchman.

The 24-year-old has a little over three months left on his current deal with the Blaugrana. And a new contract looked dead in the water after talks led to nowhere heading into the January transfer window.

Barça even tried to offload the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner during the winter, only for the winger to refuse to leave. After talks of banishing him from the first team, Xavi Hernandez decided to keep his faith in the forward and it has worked a treat for the club.

Dembele has been in red-hot form in the second half of the ongoing campaign and has played a huge role in Barcelona rising up to third in the league table and qualifying for the Europa League quarter-finals.

It sparked rumours of a possible contract extension but neither Barcelona nor the player’s representatives had made the first move, which was confirmed by president Joan Laporta recently.

However, as per the latest report from SPORT, the Blaugrana have made a surprise move to approach the forward’s agent, Moussa Sissoko, to restart negotiations over a contract extension for their speedy attacker.

The Catalans are believed to have called for a meeting in the next few days and a positive response is expected, with the player’s entourage already making it clear to SPORT that they will be back at the negotiating table should the club make the first move.

Back in the winter when negotiations stopped, the two parties were very far in terms of wages being demanded and offered. However, there is renewed hope that a compromise can be arrived at once fresh talks begin.

Dembele is understood to be very happy and enjoying playing under Xavi, who has gotten the best out of the French international. The manager and other Barcelona players have been urging the 24-year-old to stay put at the club.

And, with the club taking the first step to restart talks, there is renewed hope that a renewal could be agreed upon in the coming weeks.