MX23RW : Tuesday, June 11 23:39:17| >> :120:13351:13351:

Xavi refuses to rule out Ousmane Dembele exit amid Paris Saint-Germain rumours

Xavi refuses to rule out Dembele exit amid PSG rumours
© Reuters
Barcelona boss Xavi refuses to rule out a summer move for Ousmane Dembele, with Paris Saint-Germain allegedly pushing to sign him.

Barcelona boss Xavi has refused to rule out a summer move for Ousmane Dembele, with Paris Saint-Germain said to be pushing for the France international's signature.

The 26-year-old only has a deal at Camp Nou until next June, while it is understood that there is a €50m (£43m) release clause in his current contract, which increases to €100m (£86m) on Monday.

PSG are believed to be preparing to trigger the buy-out fee, with the French champions said to be determined to bring in Dembele during a summer when Kylian Mbappe could potentially depart.

The attacker was on the scoresheet in Barcelona's 3-0 win over Real Madrid in Texas on Saturday evening, finding the back of the net in the 15th minute before Fermin Lopez and Ferran Torres netted late on.

Xavi said after the match that Dembele is "happy at Barca", but the club's head coach admitted that anything is possible during the summer transfer window.

Barcelona coach Xavi reacts on March 19, 2023© Reuters

"We will see, in the transfer window you never know. I see Ousmane happy at Barca... then if there's something, he'll tell us. For now he's here and he's happy," Xavi told reporters.

Dembele made the move to Barcelona from Borussia Dortmund in August 2017, and he has represented the Catalan outfit on 185 occasions, scoring 40 goals and registering 43 assists in the process.

Last season, the attacker made 35 appearances at club level, scoring eight goals and registering nine assists, including five goals and seven assists in La Liga, as Xavi's side won the title.

Speaking ahead of the clash with Real Madrid, Barcelona captain Sergi Roberto played down suggestions that Dembele was on his way out of the club.

Ousmane Dembele in action for Barcelona on October 4, 2022© Reuters

"I don't see Dembele leaving Barca. He is the most decisive player we have because of his way of playing," Roberto told reporters when questioned on the transfer speculation.

"He is a key piece for us and much loved in the dressing room."

Barcelona's three-goal success over Real Madrid came at a cost, with Andreas Christensen and new signing Ilkay Gundogan both forced off in the first half of the contest through injury.

Dembele played 66 minutes of El Clasico, being replaced by Raphinha, while Marcos Alonso and Ansu Fati were also among those to feature off the bench in the second period.

Barcelona will continue their preparations for the 2023-24 campaign with a clash against AC Milan on Tuesday evening before taking on Tottenham Hotspur in the Joan Gamper Trophy final on August 8.

ID:519856:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4700:

Ousmane Dembele future - Click here for more stories

Click here for more stories about Ousmane Dembele

Click here for more stories about Barcelona

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Raphinha in action for Barcelona on August 13, 2022
Read Next:
Man City to target Raphinha as Mahrez replacement?
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CReal Madrid38298187266195
2Barcelona38267579443585
3GironaGirona38256785463981
4Atletico MadridAtletico382441070432776
5Athletic Bilbao381911861372468
6Real Sociedad3816121051391260
7Real BetisBetis38141594845357
8Villarreal381411136565053
9Valencia381310154045-549
10AlavesAlaves381210163646-1046
11Osasuna38129174556-1145
12Getafe381013154254-1243
13Celta Vigo381011174657-1141
14Sevilla381011174854-641
15Mallorca38816143344-1140
16Las PalmasLas Palmas381010183347-1440
17Rayo Vallecano38814162948-1938
RCadizCadiz38615172655-2933
RAlmeria38312234375-3221
RGranada3849253879-4121


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!