January's Most Wanted: Dembele to PSG, Bayern or Newcastle?
Stefan Bienkowski
- 11 Jan 2022 19:05 GMT
- 8 min read
Barcelona have undoubtedly been one of the busiest clubs in the January transfer window so far.
The club have already signed Ferran Torres for €55 million and registered Dani Alves as a free transfer this month, as well as offloading Philippe Coutinho to Aston Villa.
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However, one major task remains on the club’s to-do list and that involves the future of Ousmane Dembele.
So will the France international be a Barca player next season or will he finally confirm his intentions to move on in the coming weeks?
What is Ousmane Dembele’s transfer status?
Dembele isn’t technically for sale, but the main issue with Dembele is of course his expiring contract.
That wouldn’t be a big problem for Barca, if not for the fact that the Spanish side are in the midst of a financial crisis and the player is reportedly demanding a huge pay rise.
According to Sky Sports, Dembele has asked for a staggering €43 million per year, plus a possible €7m in add ons. Which has reportedly left his manager “nearly speechless” as a result.
“Ousmane will have to make an effort and think of his future, what happens through Barca,” Xavi complained two weeks ago.
“I am waiting for him to make the effort. In terms of sporting projects, this is the best for him.”
When does Ousmane Dembele’s contract expire?
Dembele’s current contract with Barca is set to end on June 30, 2022.
What clubs are interested in Ousmane Dembele?
Despite being regarded as one of the best players in the world when fit, Dembele has struggled to find any clubs with genuine interest in signing him in the summer.
Reports in Spain have suggested that Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich may be tempted to make a move for him, but both clubs already have a number of wingers and no real need for an injury-prone star on their benches.
Another alternative could, of course, be Newcastle, who have been linked with just about every player in Europe this month. But it remains to be seen whether the French winger would be willing to make the move to a relegation-threatened club in England.
Could Ousmane Dembele leave in January?
Whether Dembele leaves the club at all will undoubtedly depend on him signing a new contract, but for now it seems unlikely that he’ll be leaving Barca in the coming weeks.
Even if the France international does agree to join another club when his current deal ends, it’s unlikely that his current club will allow him to move on for a nominal fee in the January window.
Could Ousmane Dembele leave in the summer?
As things currently stand, Dembele is highly likely to leave Barca due to the fact that he seems unlikely to sign a new deal with the club.
Whether that’s down to a club with deeper pockets enticing the player away or the Spanish giants simply refusing to bow to his wage demands, Dembele’s days at the club certainly seem numbered.
How old is Ousmane Dembele?
Dembele was born on May 15, 1997, which makes him 24 years old.
