Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said on Saturday that the club will not soften its stance on Osman Dembele’s contract status, despite the Frenchman’s anger on social media on Thursday. Dembele wrote that he “will not bow down to blackmail” when Xavi dropped him from his squad to face Athletic Bilbao at the Copa del Rey on Thursday night, following a break in talks over a new deal. The winger’s contract expires in the summer, when he will be able to leave Barcelona for free.
“It seems clear to us that the player does not want to continue at Barcelona” and “therefore we expect the transfer to take place before 31 January”, the club’s director of football, Matu Alemani, said on Thursday morning.
“Dembele’s position has not changed. He knows what the options are and he has to decide,” Xavi said at a news conference in Alves before Sunday’s game.
“There is no choice here. There are still days left (in the transfer window),” Xavi said.
It remains to be seen whether Barcelona can exit Dembele mid-season on a transfer fee or loan. Shifting the 24-year-old’s wages would help free up space for signatures.
“We are working to bring in the players. We will see what we can do,” Xavi said.
With Dembele in relegation, Barcelona could do without Anu Fati with a hamstring injury against Athletic on Thursday, with reports the 19-year-old could be out for two months.
After returning in September after a 10-month absence with a knee problem, Fati has just returned after two months of injury.
“He’s very upset, it’s a difficult situation,” Xavi said.
Club doctors advised Fati to play only 30 to 35 minutes against Athletic but the striker came in in the 61st minute and stayed for extra time.
“The extra time spoiled our plans. We will try to make a very specific plan so that he doesn’t get injured again,” Xavi said.
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