By Daily Sports on January 20, 2022

Barcelona have told Ousmane Dembele he must leave this month because he is "not committed to the project".

He joined Barca from Borussia Dortmund in 2017 in a deal worth up to £135.5m but will be able to leave for nothing when his contract expires.

"It seems obvious that the player does not want to continue at Barca," said director of football Mateu Alemany.

Barcelona manager Xavi has already warned Dembele he must sign a new contract or leave the Spanish side.

Alemany said the club supports Xavi and agrees it is "absolutely the correct approach", with lengthy contract talks failing to reach an agreement.

"With Ousmane and his agent we began [contract] conversations around July so it's been six months and a bit," Alemany said.

"We've talked, we've talked, we've talked. Barca has made different offers.

"We've tried to find a way for the player to continue with us but these offers have been systematically rejected by his agents.

"In this scenario he and his agents have been informed that he must leave immediately because we want players committed to this project and therefore we hope that a transfer will take place before January 31."

The deal to sign Dembele was, at the time, the second most expensive transfer ever, but his career at the Nou Camp has been hampered by injuries.

The 24-year-old has been linked with a host of clubs, including Manchester United, Newcastle and Liverpool. (BBC)

•PHOTO: Dembele

Source Daily Sports

Posted January 20, 2022

Copa Del Rey: Barca Travel To Granada, Sevilla...

NSC allays fears over Chelle’s Eagles future

Judge: Ronaldo Rape Lawsuit Should Be Dismissed

Cincinnati Open: Britain's Johanna Konta through to third...

Emery looks beyond PSG reunion

Senegal team returns home, presents AFCON trophy to...