Ferran Torres: I would kidnap Dembele to keep him at Barca!
Martin Macdonald
- 7 Apr 2022 08:49 BST
- 3 min read
Ferran Torres admits he is desperate for Ousmane Dembele to stay at Barcelona and jokes that he would even kidnap the Frenchman to stop him from leaving Camp Nou.
Dembele remains one of the most expensive footballers of all time, having signed for Barcelona from Borussia Dortmund for an initial €105 million in the summer of 2017.
The acquisition has not worked out for club or player, as Barca are risking losing him for free at the expiration of his contract in June.
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Though Dembele has displayed glimpses of his immense talent, they have been few and far between at Camp Nou.
This is mainly due to his shocking injury record, as he has managed 20 or more La Liga starts in a single season on just one occasion since his move.
It seemed inevitable that Dembele would leave this summer, or even in the January transfer window when Barca told him to find a new club.
But, under the tutelage of Xavi, he is playing the best football of his Barcelona career, and it is believed that the relationship between club and player has improved.
Torres, who joined Barcelona from Manchester City in January, said of Dembele:
“For me Dembele is a difference-maker and one of the best in the world. I wish him the best.”
“I would kidnap Dembele to make him stay at Barcelona (laughs). At the end of the day, it’s his decision.”
Will Dembele sign a new Barcelona contract?
The last round of negotiations between Barca and Dembele ended on a sour note, as after no deal was agreed, the player was told to leave in January, only for not suitor to make an approach.
ESPN reported this week that club director Mateu Alemany has with the forward's agent Moussa Sissoko in Morocco to discuss an extension.
Before the Sevilla win at the weekend, Alemany said:
"For us, he can stay as long as [any agreement] remains within the club's sustainable salary limit and is proportionate to his teammates,"
For Xavi, there has never been any doubt that he wants Dembele to stay, and even tipped him to become the best player in the world in his position should he remain a Barca star.
''I have said several times, the club works on the present and the future,'' Xavi said in his latest press conference. ''Ousmane is an important player for us, and I hope he stays.
''Since I have arrived, Dembele has been an example in training. The way he plays and his commitment. I see him very happy.
''I hope he stays with us and I think he’s having a good time here. He’s a player who can make the difference, he can become one of the best in the world in his position and I’m not afraid to repeat that.''
