BergaThe continuity of Ousmane Dembélé at Barça generated a lot of controversy. His performance in the pre-season friendlies is generating as much surprise. The French winger has left behind that apathetic version and is exhibiting himself as that footballer that everyone had in their memory, from when he played at Borussia Dortmund, but who had hardly ever appeared. A fast, determined footballer with a change of pace and a goal. He has scored four, in the United States, and has become the top scorer of the summer.
Xavi Hernández smiles when he sees Dembélé’s good performance. He was one of the few – not to mention the only one – who bet blindly on the footballer when the entity – basically, the sports and economic area – wanted to sell him. “We have always insisted that we wanted him to stay with us. It is undeniable that, after giving him confidence and seeing how he ends up performing on the field, we are proud to have made this decision,” they point out in this regard from the dressing room. Despite the praise, they also refer to the footballer with a point of caution and ask for “time” to check that “his performance remains in this line”. “He’s unpredictable, but overall we’ve been happy with him since we’ve been here, although he still needs to polish some things,” they explain from the coach’s environment.
Dembélé’s contract, designed so that there is a sale during 2023
After a very long tug-of-war, a negotiation that had turned into a game of poker and that at times seemed like a rollercoaster, Dembélé and his agent agreed to the extension for two more seasons. Moussa Sissoko, the controversial representative of Mosquit, was left without the renewal premium he demanded. But no other club had accepted the millionaire conditions he wanted. In the end he ended up giving in and saying yes to the proposal to stay at the Camp Nou. Barça maintain that they did not pay him any bonus for the new contract, beyond the percentage that corresponds to him as an agent of a professional footballer. Of course, in return he imposed a low clause and a short-term contract.
Therefore, the fact that Dembélé signed until 2024 does not mean, not by a long shot, that his presence at Barça during these two years is guaranteed. The winger has a low termination fee of 100 million, much lower than the 500 that Christensen, Kessie and Lewandowski have, or the 1,000 for Raphinha and Koundé, the signings of this summer from Barça. And it is that Barça do not at all rule out selling the player and making a drawer, even in this winter market. “It is a possibility that is on the table. If an offer arrives, we will evaluate it, of course. It will depend on the price, but the player’s circumstances and the team’s aspirations will also have to be taken into account,” they point out from the Blaugrana noble offices.
The club wants to do business with Dembélé but Xavi wants him to stay
It will be, if the case arises, a complex issue in which the sports area and the dressing room will fight: Dembélé will only receive good offers if he shines at this start of the season. And if that happens, it will mean that he is a vital piece in a Barça that aspires to win important titles. In this way, Xavi, who did not want to get rid of it when he was in low hours, will want it even less. Only a stratospheric performance from Raphinha, a winger whose characteristics complement those of Dembélé, could see the manager open the door.
The sale of Dembélé in January 2023 cannot be ruled out because, despite this conflict of interest, it is likely that some club will arrive in need of reinforcements and make a very interesting offer for the player. Also, the money coming in would be net as there is no amount to repay. And in the event that nothing is finalized in the winter, there will be a second chance in the summer.
Things have changed. Now Dembélé has a salary reasonable and Barça, beyond sporting performance, sees a clear opportunity to do business. And for Sissoko there is also a chance to make the money he has been clamoring for so long. It would not be surprising if Dembélé became a new “economic lever” in the short or medium term.
