Yash Bajaj

Barcelona, Spain

Ousmane Dembele was called back into the Barcelona squad after the tiff between him and the management about his contract. Manager Xavi Hernandez said that the club had no option but to go with the 24-year-old. ,A new-look Barcelona face Atletico Madrid on Sunday. Despite some key additions during the January transfer window - Adama Traoré, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Ferran Torres - the Catalans will heavily rely on Dembele, Xavi said. ,Also read: Ousmane Dembele vs Barcelona: When love turns into blackmail,The manager had asked Dembele to either 'extend' his contract or 'leave' the club with ten days left in the transfer window. But ahead of the Atletico game he conceded that the club needs him. The French winger was left out of Barcelona's Copa Del Rey game against Athletic Bilbao, which his team lost in extra-time. ,Also read: AFCON final preview: Eyes on Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, as Senegal and Egypt look for glory,Circumstances meant that we had to find a solution with Ousmane. He is part of the club and the squad. We met and we decided that he is part of the team. We can't afford to shoot ourselves in the foot. It's the club's decision and we'll use him when we think it's necessary. He's a player in the team like any other, Xavi told Saturday's pre-match press conference. Also read: West Ham, Chelsea come from behind to oust lowly opponents,Dembele had said he would not 'give into blackmail' when he was pressurised to leave. ,A month ago, we decided one thing, but circumstances have changed. We did everything possible to find a solution. I understand the position of the club, the player and the supporters, who can be a little disgusted, Xavi continued. Barcelona wanted to sell him off as the 24-year-old's contract expires this summer, after which he will be able to leave as a free agent. ,But we have to be selfish. He is a player who can help us achieve our goals. We are all in this together. We now think that the best for the team is that he is part of the team normally, Xavi added.

{\"time\":1644079998315,\"strCount\":2684,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topic/ousmanedembele\\\">Ousmane Dembele</a> was called back into the Barcelona squad after the tiff between him and the management about his contract. Manager Xavi&nbsp;Hernandez said that the club had no option but to go with the 24-year-old.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"A new-look Barcelona face Atletico Madrid on Sunday. Despite some key additions during the January transfer window -&nbsp;Adama Traoré, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Ferran Torres - the Catalans will heavily rely on Dembele, Xavi said.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/ousmane-dembele-vs-barcelona-when-love-turns-into-blackmail\\\">Ousmane Dembele vs Barcelona: When love turns into blackmail</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The manager had <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/barcelona-will-not-soften-stance-on-ousmane-dembele-xavi\\\">asked Dembele</a> to either 'extend' his contract or 'leave' the club with ten days left in the transfer window. But ahead of the Atletico game he conceded that the club needs him. The French winger was left out of Barcelona's Copa Del Rey game against Athletic Bilbao, which his team lost in extra-time.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/afcon-final-preview-eyes-on-mohamed-salah-sadio-mane-as-senegal-and-egypt-look-for-glory\\\">AFCON final preview: Eyes on Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, as Senegal and Egypt look for glory</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"Circumstances meant that we had to find a solution with Ousmane. He is part of the club and the squad. We met and we decided that he is part of the team. We can't afford to shoot ourselves in the foot. It's the club's decision and we'll use him when we think it's necessary. He's a player in the team like any other,\\\"&nbsp;Xavi told Saturday's pre-match press conference.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/west-ham-chelsea-come-from-behind-to-oust-lowly-opponents\\\">West Ham, Chelsea come from behind to oust lowly opponents</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Dembele had said he would not <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/ousmane-dembele-hits-back-at-barcelona-i-wont-give-in-to-blackmail\\\">'give into blackmail</a>' when he was pressurised to leave.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"A month ago, we decided one thing, but circumstances have changed.&nbsp;We did everything possible to find a solution. I understand the position of the club, the player and the supporters, who can be a little disgusted,\\\" Xavi continued.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Barcelona wanted to sell him off as the 24-year-old's contract expires this summer, after which he will be able to leave as a free agent.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"But we have to be selfish. He is a player who can help us achieve our goals. We are all in this together. We now think that the best for the team is that he is part of the team normally,\\\" Xavi added.&nbsp;\"}}]}

<ul>
 <li>Ousmane Dembele was added to Barcelona's squad for their tie against Atletico Madrid</li>
 <li>"Circumstances meant that we had to find a solution with Ousmane," manager Xavi said</li>
 <li>Dembele's contract expires this summer</li>
</ul>

Opoyi Central

Ousmane Dembele back in Barcelona squad is best for the team: Manager Xavi Hernandez

OusmaneDembele

FCBarcelona

Laliga

LaLigaSantander

Barcelona

Spain

Football

Sports

International

World

Xavi

Ousmane Dembele was very particular in descrbing what Barcelona was doing to him as 'blackmail'. Hours after the club said it wanted the French winger to leave by January 31, he, in a note on social media, forbid 'anyone from attributing intentions to me that I have never had'. ,Interestingly, Ousmane Dembele's statement, slamming Barcelona, had his French colleague and former Blaugrana Antoine Griezmann comment with a heart on fire '🔥❤️' emoji. Also read: Manchester United's Anthony Martial on verge of Sevilla loan move,Griezmann, in a shock move in September 2021, returned to Atletico Madrid in a season-long loan move. The €120 million signing, with 35 goals in 105 games, was one of the many signings that might have and maybe still pinch Barcelona. The list of poor signings also include Phillipe Coutinho, who moved to Aston Villa on loan this season, Yerry Mina and now Ousmane Dembele. ,Barcelona, in a bid to replace Neymar, had broken their own club record for transfers to acquire Dembele from Borussia Dortmund in 2017 with a deal, including add-ons, worth 147 million euros (then $175 million). Also read: Cameroon President Paul Biya 'saddened' by AFCON stampede that killed 8,The young forward was injured for long stretches of his first two seasons and really established himself as a regular starter only last season. He has 31 goals in 129 appearances for the Spanish giants. In his statement, posted in French and Spanish, Dembele said that he is not a man who cheats, insinuating that his love for Barcelona ' is kind of blackmail'. ,I am still under contract. I am fully at the disposal of my club and my coach. I am not a man who cheats and even less a man who has a habit of giving in to blackmail. Surely, love is a kind of blackmail. There are negotiations. I let my agent handle it, it is his turf. My field is football, simply playing football, sharing moments of joy with my team-mates, our supporters. Let's focus on the essentials - winning, he said. ,Also read: Bad day for Benzema: Missed penalty, injury, robbery plague Real Madrid striker,The player fired the shots after Barcelona's director Mateu Alemany said that he needs to find a new club after having refused to agree to a new deal. His contract expires in June. “During the six, seven months that we have been negotiating and talking, Barça has made several offers for Ousmane to continue with us, all of which have been rejected by his agents,” Alemany said. ,“Given the situation, we have told the player and his agents that he must leave immediately, because we want players who are committed to the future of the team, and that he must leave before January 31.”,If the transfer doesn't take place during the January window, Dembele is a free agent and Barcelona will not make any money from his transfer. The 24-year-old was dropped from Barcelona's squad that travelled to Bilbao on Thursday. The club lost their Copa Del Rey fixture 3-2. ,In his own lengthy statement posted in French and Spanish on his social media feeds, the winger argued that his future lies in the hands of his agent and that he just wishes to play, insinuating his relationship with Barca is a kind of blackmail. I forbid anyone to speak in my place, in place of my agent, who I have complete confidence in, Dembele wrote on Instagram. I am still under contract. I am fully at the disposal of my club and my coach. I am not a man who cheats and even less a man who has a habit of giving in to blackmail. Surely, love is a kind of blackmail. There are negotiations. I let my agent handle it, it is his turf. My field is football, simply playing football, sharing moments of joy with my team-mates, our supporters. Let's focus on the essentials - winning.

{\"time\":1643158279629,\"strCount\":4301,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topic/ousmanedembele\\\">Ousmane Dembele</a> was very particular in descrbing what Barcelona was doing to him as '<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/ousmane-dembele-hits-back-at-barcelona-i-wont-give-in-to-blackmail\\\">blackmail</a>'. Hours after the club said it wanted the French winger to leave by January 31, he, in a note on social media, forbid 'anyone from attributing intentions to me that I have never had'.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Interestingly, Ousmane Dembele's statement, slamming Barcelona, had his French colleague and former Blaugrana&nbsp;Antoine Griezmann comment with a heart on fire '🔥❤️' emoji.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/manchester-uniteds-anthony-martial-on-verge-of-sevilla-loan-move\\\">Manchester United's Anthony Martial on verge of Sevilla loan move</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Griezmann, in a shock move in September 2021, returned to&nbsp;Atletico Madrid in a season-long loan&nbsp;move. The&nbsp;€120 million signing, with 35 goals in 105 games, was one of the many signings that might have and maybe still pinch Barcelona. The list of poor signings also include Phillipe Coutinho, who moved to Aston Villa on loan this season, Yerry Mina and now Ousmane Dembele.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Barcelona, in a bid to replace Neymar, had broken their own club record for transfers to acquire Dembele from Borussia Dortmund in 2017 with a deal, including add-ons, worth 147 million euros (then $175 million).\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/cameroon-president-paul-biya-saddened-by-afcon-stampede-that-killed-8\\\">Cameroon President Paul Biya 'saddened' by AFCON stampede that killed 8</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The young forward was injured for long stretches of his first two seasons and really established himself as a regular starter only last season. He has 31 goals in 129 appearances for the Spanish giants.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"In his statement, posted in French and Spanish, Dembele said that he is not a man who cheats, insinuating that his love for Barcelona ' is kind of blackmail'.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"I am still under contract. I am fully at the disposal of my club and my coach. I am not a man who cheats and even less a man who has a habit of giving in to blackmail. Surely, love is a kind of blackmail. There are negotiations. I let my agent handle it, it is his turf.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"My field is football, simply playing football, sharing moments of joy with my team-mates, our supporters. Let's focus on the essentials - winning,\\\" he said.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/bad-day-for-karim-benzema-missed-penalty-injury-robbery-plague-real-madrid-striker\\\">Bad day for Benzema: Missed penalty, injury, robbery plague Real Madrid striker</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The player fired the shots after Barcelona's director Mateu Alemany said that he needs to find a new club after having refused to agree to a new deal. His contract expires in June.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"“During the six, seven months that we have been negotiating and talking, Barça has made several offers for Ousmane to continue with us, all of which have been rejected by his agents,” Alemany said. \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"“Given the situation, we have told the player and his agents that he must leave immediately, because we want players who are committed to the future of the team, and that he must leave before January 31.”\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"If the transfer doesn't take place during the January window, Dembele is a free agent and Barcelona will not make any money from his transfer.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The 24-year-old was dropped from Barcelona's squad that travelled to Bilbao on Thursday. The club lost their Copa Del Rey fixture 3-2.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"In his own lengthy statement posted in French and Spanish on his social media feeds, the winger argued that his future lies in the hands of his agent and that he just wishes to play, insinuating his relationship with Barca is \\\"a kind of blackmail\\\".\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"I forbid anyone to speak in my place, in place of my agent, who I have complete confidence in,\\\" Dembele wrote on Instagram. \\\"I am still under contract. I am fully at the disposal of my club and my coach.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"I am not a man who cheats and even less a man who has a habit of giving in to blackmail. Surely, love is a kind of blackmail. There are negotiations. I let my agent handle it, it is his turf.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"My field is football, simply playing football, sharing moments of joy with my team-mates, our supporters. Let's focus on the essentials - winning.\\\"\"}}]}

<ul>
 <li>Ousmane Dembele described what Barcelona was doing to him as 'blackmail'</li>
 <li>He has 31 goals in 129 appearances for the Spanish giants</li>
 <li>He joined the team in 2017</li>
</ul>

Ousmane Dembele vs Barcelona: When love turns into blackmail

Shubham Banerjee

Barcelona will not soften their stance on Ousmane Dembele despite the French winger’s social media outburst over his recent contact deadlock with the club, head coach Xavi Hernandez said on Saturday. ,“Dembele's situation hasn't changed. He knows what the options are and he has to decide,” news agency AFP quoted Xavi saying at a press conference ahead of the Catalans’ trip to Alaves in the La Liga. ,“There is no alternative. There are still days left (in the transfer window),” he added. Also Read | PL: Rashford’s injury-time winner sinks West Ham, sends Man Utd into top 4,On Thursday, Barca’s director of football Mateu Alemany said the Frenchman will have to find a new club after refusing to agree to a new deal. “During the six, seven months that we have been negotiating and talking, Barça has made several offers for Ousmane to continue with us, all of which have been rejected by his agents. It seems obvious to us that the player does not want to continue at Barcelona and therefore we hope that a transfer will take place before January 31,” Alemany said. ,He was also left out the squad for the Copa del Rey clash against Athletic Bilbao on Thursday. ,In response, Dembele said he will not give in to blackmail insisting he is “fully committed to this sporting project”. Signed from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2017 for a reported €140 million, Dembele is in the last year of his contract with the Catalans and will be able to leave the club as a free agent in the summer. Also Read | Josh Sargent nets spectacular brace in Watford vs Norwich: Watch,Dembele has been linked with a move to the Premier League, with Chelsea and Newcastle United among potential suitors, but it remains to be seen if Barcelona can secure a deal for the forward, either for a transfer fee or on loan. ,Moving his wages off the books will also help the club secure new signings. “We are working to bring players in. We'll see what we can do,” Xavi said. ,On Ansu Fati’s injury, which the forward sustained during the loss to Athletic on Thursday, Xavi said, “He is very upset, it’s a difficult situation”.

{\"time\":1642875690914,\"strCount\":2852,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topic/fcbarcelona\\\">Barcelona</a> will not soften their stance on <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topic/ousmanedembele\\\">Ousmane\\nDembele</a> despite the French winger’s social media outburst over his recent contact\\ndeadlock with the club, head coach <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topic/xavi\\\">Xavi Hernandez</a> said on Saturday. \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"“Dembele's situation hasn't changed. He\\nknows what the options are and he has to decide,” news agency AFP quoted Xavi\\nsaying at a press conference ahead of the Catalans’ trip to Alaves in the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topic/laliga\\\">La Liga</a>. \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"“There is no alternative. There are still\\ndays left (in the transfer window),” he added.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read |&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/premier-league-marcus-rashfords-injury-time-winner-sinks-west-ham-sends-manchester-united-into-top-4\\\">PL: Rashford’s injury-time winner sinks West Ham, sends Man Utd into top 4</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"On Thursday, Barca’s director of football\\nMateu Alemany said the Frenchman will have to find a new club after refusing to\\nagree to a new deal.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"“During the six, seven months that we have\\nbeen negotiating and talking, Barça has made several offers for Ousmane to\\ncontinue with us, all of which have been rejected by his agents. It seems\\nobvious to us that the player does not want to continue at Barcelona\\\" and\\n\\\"therefore we hope that a transfer will take place before January 31,”\\nAlemany said. \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"He was also left out the squad for the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topic/copadelrey\\\">Copa\\ndel Rey</a> clash against Athletic Bilbao on Thursday. \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"In response, Dembele said he will <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/ousmane-dembele-hits-back-at-barcelona-i-wont-give-in-to-blackmail\\\">\\\"not give\\nin to blackmail\\\"</a> insisting he is “fully committed to this sporting project”. Signed\\nfrom Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2017 for a reported €140 million, Dembele\\nis in the last year of his contract with the Catalans and will be able to leave\\nthe club as a free agent in the summer.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read |&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/usmnt-player-josh-sargent-nets-spectacular-brace-in-watford-vs-norwich\\\">Josh Sargent nets spectacular brace in Watford vs Norwich: Watch</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Dembele has been linked with a move to the\\nPremier League, with Chelsea and Newcastle United among <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/ousmane-dembele-transfer-chelsea-arsenal-tottenham-reportedly-interested\\\">potential suitors</a>, but\\nit remains to be seen if Barcelona can secure a deal for the forward, either\\nfor a transfer fee or on loan. \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Moving his wages off the books will also\\nhelp the club secure new signings. &nbsp;“We\\nare working to bring players in. We'll see what we can do,” Xavi said. \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"On Ansu Fati’s injury, which the forward\\nsustained during the loss to Athletic on Thursday, Xavi said, “He is very upset,\\nit’s a difficult situation”. \"}}]}

<ul>
 <li>“Dembele's situation hasn't changed. He knows what the options are and he has to decide," Xavi said</li>
 <li>Barca’s director of football Mateu Alemany said the Frenchman will have to find a new club after refusing to agree to a new deal</li>
 <li>In response, Dembele said he will not “give in to blackmail” insisting he is “fully committed to this sporting project”</li>
</ul>

Barcelona will not soften stance on Ousmane Dembele: Xavi

Soccer

EuropeanFootball

Ousmane Dembele, in a social media post on Thursday, slammed Barcelona after the club announced that it wants the French winger to leave before the end of January. The 24-year-old is yet to renew his contract, which expires in June, with the Catalan giants. ,Barcelona director Mateu Alemany said, During the six, seven months that we have been negotiating and talking, Barça has made several offers for Ousmane to continue with us, all of which have been rejected by his agents,” ,Hitting back at the club, Dembele said he would not give into blackmail. ,Also read: Ousmane Dembele transfer: Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham reportedly interested,From today it finishes. From today I am going to reply honestly, without giving in to any kind of blackmail, he wrote on Instagram. ,I forbid anyone from thinking I am not committed to the sporting project. I forbid anyone from attributing intentions to me that I have never had. Dembele joined Barcelona after a year with Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund in 2017 in a deal worth €140 million. ,Also read | Ralf Rangnick defends decision to substitute Cristiano Ronaldo vs Brentford,Many Barcelona fans questioned the expensive deal that used up a good chunk of the 220 million euros (then $262 million) that Barcelona received from Paris Saint-Germain for Neymar just weeks before. The young forward was injured for long stretches of his first two seasons and really established himself as a regular starter only last season. He has 31 goals in 129 appearances for Barcelona. Also read | Luiz Suarez 'focused' on reunion with Steven Gerrard at Aston Villa: Report,As you all know, there are negotiations. I leave my agent in charge of those, it's his area. My area is the ball, simply to play football and share moments of happiness with my teammates and all the fans, Dembele further wrote. ,Dembele did not included in Barcelona's squad travelling to Bilbao on Thursday.

{\"time\":1642875818221,\"strCount\":2468,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Ousmane Dembele, in a social media post on Thursday, slammed <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topic/barcelona\\\">Barcelona </a>after the club announced that it wants the French winger to leave<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/barcelona-to-sell-ousmane-dembele-in-january-transfer-window-the-club-has-confirmed\\\"> before the end of January</a>. The 24-year-old is yet to renew his contract, which expires in June, with the Catalan giants.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Barcelona director Mateu Alemany said,\\\" During the six, seven months that we have been negotiating and talking, Barça has made several offers for Ousmane to continue with us, all of which have been rejected by his agents,” \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Hitting back at the club, Dembele said he would not give into blackmail.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/ousmane-dembele-transfer-chelsea-arsenal-tottenham-reportedly-interested\\\">Ousmane Dembele transfer: Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham reportedly interested</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"From today it finishes. From today I am going to reply honestly, without giving in to any kind of blackmail,\\\" he wrote on Instagram.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"I forbid anyone from thinking I am not committed to the sporting project. I forbid anyone from attributing intentions to me that I have never had.\\\"\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Dembele joined Barcelona after a year with Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund in 2017 in a deal worth €140 million.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read |&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/ralf-rangnick-defends-decision-to-substitute-cristiano-ronaldo-vs-brentford\\\">Ralf Rangnick defends decision to substitute Cristiano Ronaldo vs Brentford</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Many Barcelona fans questioned the expensive deal that used up a good chunk of the 220 million euros (then $262 million) that Barcelona received from Paris Saint-Germain for Neymar just weeks before.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The young forward was injured for long stretches of his first two seasons and really established himself as a regular starter only last season. He has 31 goals in 129 appearances for Barcelona.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read |&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/luiz-suarez-focused-on-reunion-with-steven-gerrard-at-aston-villa-report\\\">Luiz Suarez 'focused' on reunion with Steven Gerrard at Aston Villa: Report</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"As you all know, there are negotiations. I leave my agent in charge of those, it's his area. My area is the ball, simply to play football and share moments of happiness with my teammates and all the fans,\\\" Dembele further wrote.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Dembele did not included in Barcelona's squad travelling to Bilbao on Thursday.&nbsp;\"}}]}

<ul>
 <li>Ousmane Dembele's Barcelona contract expires in June</li>
 <li>The club asked the Frenchman to leave by January 31</li>
 <li>Hitting back at the club, Dembele said he would not give into blackmail</li>
</ul>

Ousmane Dembele hits back at Barcelona: I won't give in to blackmail

Shiladitya Ray

French winger Ousmane Dembele has been asked to leave Barcelona by the end of the January transfer window after failing to renew his contract with the Catalan giants. With Dembele set to leave the club by January 31, three Premier League clubs could be eyeing a swoop for the Frenchman as per several reports. If reports are to be believed, Premier League giants Chelsea could be looking to sign Dembele. The Frenchman had made a name for himself under Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel, when the latter was in charge of Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund. Also read | Ralf Rangnick defends decision to substitute Cristiano Ronaldo vs Brentford,Dembele arguably enjoyed the best spell of his career under Tuchel, with 32 goal contributions in 55 appearances, before his big money move to Barcelona. The 24-year-old had also previously described Tuchel as his favourite manager, and a reunion could be on the cards if rumours are to be believed. However, the rumour mill suggests that Chelsea rivals Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are also in contention for the 24-year-old's signature. While Tottenham Director of Football Fabio Paratici reportedly considers Dembele to be a 'dream' signing that could significantly strengthen Antonio Conte's squad, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta also reportedly rates the winger very highly and could be vying for his signature, especially in light of the club's ongoing spat with star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Despite these rumours, the real question surrounding Dembele's move pertains to his exorbitant wage demands. Spanish media outlet Foot Mercano had reported earlier that the winger had demanded a gross salary of €40 million a year (£640,000 per week), along with a €40m (£33m) bonus to renew his contract with Barcelona. If the aforementioned report is to be believed, there are not many clubs that can afford the Frenchman, and the clubs that can may not need him. Chelsea, for instance, might be able to strike a compromise with the French winger and pay a large chunk of his demanded wages, but the Blues are already a top heavy side with the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Hakim Ziyech, Christian Pulisic, and Callum Hudson-Odoi in the squad. Also read | Luiz Suarez 'focused' on reunion with Steven Gerrard at Aston Villa: Report,Arsenal, meanwhile, are looking to offload Aubameyang, not just for his disciplinary breaches, but also because of his exorbitant wages. If reports are to be believed, Arsenal are keen on signing Serbian forward Dušan Vlahović from Fiorentina for €80million (£66.6million), and if the move transpires, it is unlikely that the Gunners will spend big on acquiring Dembele. The other option is Tottenham, but Spurs are also unlikely to be able to meet Dembele's wage demands barring major departures from the London side. Thus, as it stands, Dembele's future is up in the air, and it remains to be seen whether the Frenchman will take a pay cut to secure a move to a top side.

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<ul>
 <li>Ousmane Dembele has been told to leave Barcelona by the end of the January transfer window</li>
 <li>Chelsea, Arsenal, and Tottenham are reportedly interested in the winger</li>
 <li>However, Dembele's wage demands are massive and clubs might not be willing to pay</li>
</ul>

Ousmane Dembele transfer: Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham reportedly interested

Chelsea

Arsenal

TottenhamHotspur

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French winger Ousmane Dembele has been told to leave Barcelona by the end of the January transfer window. With six months remaining on his Barcelona contract, the Frenchman has failed to reach an agreement for a renewal with the Catalan giants and it is understood that Barcelona, who are financially strained, will try their best to move him on before the end of the transfer window on January 31. Barcelona's intentions were confirmed by Director of Football Mateu Alemany, who held a press conference announcing the club's stance on Dembele's situation. Also read | Ralf Rangnick defends decision to substitute Cristiano Ronaldo vs Brentford,We started negotiating with Ousmane's agents some six months ago, said Alemany, adding that Barcelona repeatedly informed Dembele that they wanted him to remain with the club. Although the 24-year-old was offered different deals over six months of negotiations, an agreement was not reached, said Alemany. Also read | Lionel Messi could return to Barcelona, as player's family struggles with Paris move: reports,Following the club's failure to tie Dembele down to a new deal, the Catalan giants informed the Frenchman that they only wanted players committed to Barca and Barca's future, said Alemany. The Director of Football went on to say that Dembele should probably leave as soon as possible, both for his own good and Barca's good, adding that the Frenchman had been informed of the club's decision to move him on. Also read | Luiz Suarez 'focused' on reunion with Steven Gerrard at Aston Villa: Report,The decision was announced on Thursday after Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez issued a public ultimatum to Dembele on Wednesday, saying, We’re in a position in which we have to stop this right now. Either he renews or we will look for an exit for him. In light of the situation with Dembele, the winger has been dropped from Barcelona's squad for their visit to Athletic Club for a Copa del Rey Round of 16 tie on Thursday, and it is understood that the 24-year-old will not feature in any of Barcelona's other games in January.

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<ul>
 <li>Ousmane Dembele will be sold by Barcelona in the January transfer window</li>
 <li>Dembele has six months left on his contract but has not signed a new deal</li>
 <li>Barcelona, who only want "committed" players, have hence decided to sell him</li>
</ul>

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