Linked to FC Barcelona until 2024, Ousmane Dembélé has a clause allowing him to leave for only 50 million euros this summer. During a meeting on Thursday, the Frenchman’s agent certified to management that a departure was not on the cards. But Barça prefers to secure their backs.
New technical secretary of FC Barcelona, Deco quickly got down to business. The former Barça midfielder finds himself in charge of the Ousmane Dembélé file, hence his meeting held with the winger’s agent Moussa Sissoko on Thursday. The Catalan club aim to extend the Frenchman’s contract which expires in 2024, and which contains a particularly dangerous clause.
Dembele can leave for €50m
Recall that the Blaugrana had avoided the free departure of Ousmane Dembélé last summer by granting him certain astonishing conditions. The former Stade Rennais player has a release clause of only 50 million euros valid in July, half of which would be paid to him in the event of a transfer. Suffice to say that Barça is not serene given the importance of Ousmane Dembélé in Xavi’s team.
🚨 #ÚLTIMAHORA | Moussa Sissoko y Deco se han visto por primera vez este jueves para comunicar la voluntad de Dembélé de seguir a toda costa en el Barça y que no ejecutará la cláusula actual, de 50 millones hasta el 31 de julio
✍ @ffpolo https://t.co/7waqCrSt06 pic.twitter.com/gt3t7IKPSI
— Mundo Deportivo (@mundodeportivo) June 29, 2023
But during the interview with Deco, agent Moussa Sissoko certified to the manager that a departure was not in the cards. The French international absolutely wants to stay at Barça and does not consider for a single second using his release clause. Enough to reassure management? Not really. According to local outlets Sport and Mundo Deportivo, talks between the two sides will now concern a contract extension until 2027.
Thus, Barça would avoid the free departure of their vice-world champion next year. But above all, the Spanish champion wants to find an agreement as soon as possible in order to cancel this clause. Proof that FC Barcelona fears a possible turnaround. Currently struggling with financial fair play in La Liga, the club led by Joan Laporta really don’t need that.
