Will Dembele, Gavi and Araujo sign new deals? Xavi offers an update for Barca fans
FT Desk
- Updated: 2 Apr 2022 09:31 CDT
- 7 min read
Barcelona manager Xavi has provided an update on the key players in his squad that are approaching the end of their contracts.
The Catalan side have had to endure a huge amount of upheaval this season as financial turmoil has laid waste to their first team.
A number of first team players left the club at the start of the season, including Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann, followed by Philippe Coutinho in the January window.
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Alongside that, the club have worked hard to tie other first team stars down to long-term deals, with Pedri and Ansu Fati accepting new offers in the past 12 months.
However, ahead of the summer transfer window, Barcelona are sweating over a number of players that could either be out of contract or entering the final year of their deals in a few months time.
Which players are out of contract?
The most concerning contract situation for Barca is undoubtedly that of Ousmane Dembele, whose deal is set to expire at the end of the season.
Then, after the France international, Barca will be keen to quickly sort out the contracts of both Gavi and Ronald Araujo, who are both on deals which expire in the summer of 2023.
Not only does that mean both players will enter the final year of their contracts this summer, but could also mean that they will be able to leave for free 12 months later
And, considering how highly rated both players are, the priority will be to tie them down to new deals before other clubs can entice either star away.
What did Xavi say?
Fortunately for Barcelona fans, the manager was in good spirits about all three players and seems confident that the club will be able to tie them all down to new deals.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s league clash with Sevilla, Xavi was happy to provide an update on where the club is with each player.
"Gavi and Araujo are very important to us for the future. Barca cannot allow them to leave. I want to think that both of them will renew their contract,” said Xavi.
"I see Ousmane Dembele very happy, if he wants to stay he should talk to the club."
