Barcelona: We want Dembele and Gavi to stay

Karan Tejwani

• 2 May 2022 08:07 CDT
• 3 min read

Barcelona are keen to extend the contracts of winger Ousmane Dembele and midfielder Gavi, according to the club’s General Director, Matheu Alemany.

Dembele’s contract runs out this June and he is free to look for a new club at the moment, with many rumours suggesting he may be on his way to French champions Paris Saint-Germain.

The 24-year-old winger has improved in recent months, ironing out injury and disciplinary issues under Xavi and becoming one of the team’s core creators, providing 11 assists in La Liga – the joint-highest.

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Gavi, meanwhile, only made his debut earlier in the season and has a contract until the end of next season, but Barcelona will want to avoid losing one of their brightest academy talents for free.

The 17-year-old has constantly impressed and even represents the Spanish national team, and Barcelona will be eager to fend of interest and impose a higher buyout clause for the impressive young midfielder.

What have Barcelona said about the renewals?

"Gavi and Dembélé want to continue, but it's clear that we must be strict with salaries. It's not an easy process but we will do our best,” Alemany said.

According to Xavi, it’s a priority to keep both players at the Camp Nou for the coming years and he sees them as an essential part of the system he is trying to create for the Blaugrana.

The head coach hopes to have both renewals completed before the start of the summer transfer window on 1 July and wants to have enough time to plan his squad for the next campaign.

Last week, Barcelona wrapped up negotiations with Uruguayan defender Ronald Araujo to extend his contract at the club until 2026.

They are also looking to do the same for Sergi Roberto, who looked set to depart this summer, but his versatility has proven to be important.

Barcelona have had a fairly positive second half to the season, and look set to wrap up second place in La Liga, which they will want to build on next season and that will start by renewing the contracts of their most important players.