Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández has urged striker Ousmane Dembélé to “make an effort” to renewed by the azulgrana club because he believes that “his future” lies in playing for the Barça team.
At the press conference before the last 16 match of the King’s Cup that the Catalan team will play this Wednesday (7.30 pm) against Linares, the Catalan coach has commented again on the situation of the French international, whose contract ends next June.
“Dembélé should think about him, I think his future lies with Barça. The sports project for him will not be better elsewhere than here and that’s how I passed it on. I’m calm, waiting for news, now no more It depends on me. It depends on the club, Ousmane and his representatives, “he said.
Precisely, the renewal of Dembélé could be the key for him to sign up for one of the new signings, Ferran Torres. Another option would be the departure of the highest paid player in the squad, the Brazilian Philippe Coutinho. “Obviously for there to be entrances there must be exits. We are trying to register Alves, who seems to be able to register today if details are resolved, and Ferran’s will depend on other things, such as the renewal of the Ousmane “But I didn’t talk to Philippe about his situation,” said Xavi.
If finally Alves can be registered quickly, the right winger would have the opportunity in Linares to make his debut for the second time with Barça. “I see Alves well, spectacular in training, with an intensity he has not lost and with tremendous competitiveness. He is a professional, we need him, for me he is a superb player, he will help us in many games,” he said.
However, Xavi Hernández has announced that the reappearances of Memphis Depay i Ansu Fati after their injuries they will not be in Linares: “They are not ready for tomorrow, although they are already training with the group. We will see if they will be available for Granada, they need some more training. They are very close to returning both The other”.
The goalkeeper is also in doubt for the match grandchild and the striker Yusuf Demir. But in these cases, the reason is his sporting future, which could be far from Barça.
On the first Xavi Hernández reported that this Tuesday he spoke to him “about his situation at the club” and regarding the second, that he has returned to training, he said that it will be seen “whether he leaves or stays” .
During Ferran Torres’ presentation on Monday, Joan Laporta announced that “Barça is back”. Asked if he identifies with the president’s words, Xavi Hernández was forceful: “I am very close to the president. I like his ambition, I am delighted with him and the club. Are we back? We are here, working hard on all levels to return Barça where it deserves “.
Regarding the one-off qualifiers for the Copa del Rey, the Barça coach considered that “it is a very attractive format for small teams and for the spectators”, but for Barça “there is nothing to gain because it is given by classification “.
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