Barcelona boss Xavi has sent out a strong message to Ousmane Dembele as contract negotiations with the player continue to stall.
Xavi 'Disappointed' With Dembele
With Dembele's current deal coming to an end once the 2021/22 campaign concludes, his coach Xavi has insisted the club "cannot wait any longer".
The Spaniard further emphasised that, after five months of negotiating, the French international has to renew his stay immediately or leave. "Either the player renews or we look for an exit for the player - there is no other possibility," he said in a press conference, as per BBC Sport.
Xavi further elaborated that the Catalan giants find themselves in a "complicated situation", a situation explained to Dembele and his party.
The 24-year-old arrived in Barcelona from Borussia Dortmund in 2017 for an original fee of £96.8 million (R2 billion). However, the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner has found it hard to adjust to life at the Camp Nou, and has constantly been pestered by niggly injuries.
Barcelona have reportedly been offered these players to sign:
He has been heavily linked with a move away from the Spanish giants, particularly to the Premier League, with BBC Sport reporting interest from teams such as Manchester United, Liverpool and Newcastle United.
Xavi seemed annoyed by the mixed messages between the player and his representatives, saying: "He tells me he wants to stay. Ask him [why he hasn't renewed yet].
"He wants to stay but it has not been agreed so we have to make a decision as a club and that is either to renew or find an exit.
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"It's a shame. He has played every possible minute since I have been coach."
