Barcelona STOP contract negotiations with World Cup winner

Stuart Telford

• 8 Apr 2023 14:04 BST
• 3 min read

Barcelona have stopped contract negotiations with Ousmane Dembele despite Xavi's faith in the player, as the reality of their financial dire straits begins to bight.

Dembele has been on of Xavi's most trusted players this season, and had contributed five goals and as many assists to help them to the top of La Liga before injury struck in January.

The Frenchman - a World Cup winner with his country in Russia in 2018 - re-signed with Barca in July after his previous deal had expired, but it was on reduced terms.

READ: 'Ousmane Dembele to Man Utd for €50m is a bargain'

Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain had also floated the idea of signing the player, but he only had eyes for Barca, accepting €12 million a season, down from the €19.2m he was previously on.

That deal only runs until the summer of 2024, though, and Barca are now stunted in their ability to offer him fresh terms with La Liga having told the club to reduce their debt by €200m if they want to compete next season.

'Renewal talks have stopped'

"Barca coach Xavi Hernandez has always considered Ousmane Dembele key, a player whom he fought to keep last year," report Sport. "His contract expires in 2024 but renewal talks have stopped. The club want him to extend but it's difficult to raise his pay due to their salary limit."

READ: How Barcelona could fund a Messi deal this summer

Barca were €1.35 billion in debt when they lost Lionel Messi on a free transfer to PSG in the summer of 2021, and although president Javier Tebas has activated a number of 'financial levers', their financial troubles remain.

A group stage exit from this season's Champions League having dropped €150m on Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Jules Kounde didn't help, nor does the fact that they are now trying to bring Messi back to his spiritual home.