Ousmane Dembele is willing to lower his salary demands to stay at Barcelona next season, but an agreement over a new deal remains ‘far away’.
Dembele is out of contract at the end of the season and had been expected to leave Barcelona on a free transfer, but has since enjoyed a remarkable turnaround to emerge as a key figure in Xavi’s side.
SPORT are reporting that Dembele is now willing to sign a new contract at Barcelona, despite more lucrative proposals from European clubs with both Paris Saint-Germain and Premier League sides having been linked with a move for the 24-year-old.
The player’s agent, Moussa Sissoko, held ‘positive’ talks with the Barcelona board on Wednesday but an agreement is still far from completion.
The arrival of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – who he starred alongside at Borussia Dortmund – has helped Dembele’s recent improvement and has contributed to the increased ‘harmony’ between the winger and Catalan club.
Barcelona had attempted to sell Dembele during the January transfer window after he turned down the club’s latest contract offer, but improved performances and relations have now increased the chances of a new deal being signed.
However, the club’s latest contract offer is not significantly higher than the most recent rejected proposal and an agreement remains some distance away despite the change in stance from Dembele.
The France international has provided 11 assists across his last 14 league appearances, a total that leaves Dembele alongside Karim Benzema for the most goals created in La Liga this season.
