The USA pre-season tour of FC Barcelona is still underway, with the latest match having ended in the Catalans’ first triumph in this tour against their arch-rivals, Real Madrid. However, the feeling of euphoria after the win against the Whites has quickly dissipated because of transfer market movements.
The change in mood has been brought in mainly by the news of Ousmane Dembele’s proposed move to PSG. The Frenchman has disclosed his desire to join PSG this summer to Xavi and his teammates but would leave after the two clubs agree on a transfer.
Dembele’s decision to leave Barcelona has been a severe setback for Xavi Hernandez, as he was counting on the winger to play an important role in the coming season, especially with the aim of reaching the latter rounds of the UEFA Champions League.
The coach made a final effort to sway Dembele’s decision before leaving for Las Vegas according to a recent report from Mundo Deportivo. The report indicates that as the squad’s flight to Las Vegas was delayed due to some logistical problems, Xavi took the opportunity to try to convince Dembele to remain at Barcelona.
Xavi believed he had already convinced Dembele with his communication the previous day, but Dembele’s meeting with his agent undid Xavi’s work.
One of the main arguments of Xavi to convince Dembele to remain at Barcelona was to point towards the fate of Neymar. The Brazilian left Barcelona to join PSG but has tried to return to the Catalan club ever since and has also regressed in a sporting aspect.
A negotiation period has now opened, and Barcelona have given Dembele five days to come up with a proposal, as PSG has not currently put an offer on the table. Meanwhile, Dembele will not play in the match against AC Milan, as the club does not want to risk an injury.
Thus, Dembele turbulent time at FC Barcelona seems to be coming to an end, but any twists can still not be ruled out.
