‘Dembele has disappointed us all’ – Laporta
Robin Bairner
- 2 Feb 2022 08:23 CST
- 3 min read
Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele has been branded a “disappointment” by president Joan Laporta.
Although Laporta was speaking at Adama Traore’s unveiling, the line of questioning was dominated by Dembele, who has been a leading subject in the world of football transfer news in recent months.
There has been an ongoing soap opera over the Frenchman’s future, with his contract up in the summer.
Barcelona made it very public that he was unwelcome with the squad beyond the end of January and invited him to find a new club, but despite interest from several teams, Dembele refused to speak to them.
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This sparked anger from the Camp Nou outfit, who feel that there is already an agreement in place between the player and a mystery club, thought to be Manchester United.
Dembele is, therefore, set to leave the club on a free transfer after arriving in 2017 from Borussia Dortmund for an initial €105 million.
Laporta admits that his time at Barca has not gone to plan.
A lot of money was invested in him and we had hoped to see him for many years. We have all been disappointed.
- Joan Laporta“Dembele’s been accompanied by situations that have not been the best,” he admitted. “It was difficult for him to adapt because of the many injuries he had.
“But a lot of money was invested in him and we had hoped to see him for many years. We have all been disappointed.
“We understood his injuries and his disappointment that he has not felt well treated.
“We wanted him to renew and demonstrate his talent, so there is a disappointment. I treated him the best I could, the coach the same.
“He’s got a great level and we’ve not been able to enjoy his talent – or at least very little of it.”
Dembele's contract situation
Meanwhile, the contract offer for Dembele is off the table from Barcelona.
“Since 20 December, there is no longer a proposal,” Laporta said. “They would have to sit down at the table and negotiate again if they want to, but it doesn’t seem like it.”
Dembele, though, may not have played his last game for the club.
“He has a contract and if he is available, the coach will decide,” the president added. “But the coach knows the circumstances and is just as surprised as we are that he did not accept the renewal.”
Barcelona’s next match is against Atletico Madrid on Sunday.
