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. 

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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. 

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“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.

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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.