Xavi is the key to Barcelona forward’s renewal, club still hopeful

After everything that went down in the lead-up to and during the January transfer window, Ousmane Dembele might still have a future at Barcelona beyond the season.

The Frenchman was handed a fresh contract by the club towards the end of the last year, with his current one running out at the end of the season. However, talks fell through due to the 24-year-old’s outrageous financial demands.

Barcelona then made every attempt to cash in on him in January, only for the ex-Borussia Dortmund forward to refuse all offers on the table and stay put at Camp Nou.

There were talks of him being sent to the stands for the remainder of the season, while a potential contract termination was also considered briefly. In the end, manager Xavi Hernandez decided to reintegrate Dembele back into the squad, insisting that he has a key role to play.

And, the decision has worked well for the club, with the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner turning in some impressive performances, none more so than the one against Athletic Club at the weekend when he came on as a sub to score a goal and assist two more.

While fans have continued to whistle at him, Dembele has put his head down and showed his commitment to the club. It has now opened the doors for a potential contract renewal at Barcelona despite the events of the recent past, reports SPORT.

Xavi has always reiterated that he wishes the French international to continue at the club, while January signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang also said that he is trying to convince the speedy winger to stay.

And, as per the report, president Joan Laporta is also hopeful that the ex-Rennes wonderkid continues at the club: “We want him to stay.”

While it is extremely unlikely that the club would give in to his financial demands, Dembele is still seen as a player who offers a lot of value, especially based on recent performances.

And, with Xavi seemingly getting the best out of the Frenchman, the club legend will be the key factor in convincing the speedster to pen new terms and continue evolving his game at Camp Nou and help the club achieve glory.

There have been no talks between Barcelona and the player’s entourage as things stand, but the door that once looked firmly shut, is now slightly ajar.