Dembele frozen out: Xavi leaves him off another squad list

There are 21 players in Barcelona’s squad list for their Sunday trip to take on Deportivo Alavés at Mendizorrotza, but most of the focus is on one of the players not included in the travelling party. That is Ousmane Dembele, who has been left out of the squad once again.

After also being left out for Barça’s midweek Copa del Rey trip to Athletic Club, Dembele is once again staying behind in Catalonia while his teammates travel to the Basque Country. He joins the suspended Gavi and injured Ansu Fati, Memphis Depay, Sergi Roberto, Samuel Umtiti and Eric García in missing this Sunday’s LaLiga Santander fixture.

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Why is Dembele being excluded at Barcelona?

The Dembele situation spiralled out of control this past week when Barcelona decided that the winger wouldn’t form any part of their short-term plans if he refuses to renew his contract. The Frenchman’s current deal expires in the summer, but negotiations over an extension have not gone well and it appears he’ll let his contract run down to become a free agent.

As director of football Mateu Alemany explained: “Barcelona have made different offers to Dembele and we have tried to find a way for the player to continue with us, but those offers have been systematically rejected by his agents. We want players committed to this project, so we hope that a transfer will take place as soon as possible.”

Following Alemany’s comments, Dembele was left out of Barcelona’s squad for their midweek cup tie and now he has been excluded for this weekend’s league game too.

The Spanish players’ association hit out at Barcelona for this treatment of the French forward, but that doesn’t appear to have deterred the Blaugrana, who hope that this will force Dembele to depart the Camp Nou sooner rather than later.