Barcelona announces its position on the departure of Ousmane Dembele
Barcelona sports director Ramon Blanes ruled out, today, Friday, the premise of the departure of its French striker Osman Dembele, in response to English press reports that linked the name of the international player to Manchester United of England three days before the transfer market closed next Monday.
"There are no negotiations with Manchester United. He (Dembele) is a player we depend on," Blanes told the media, during the presentation of the newcomer, the young American right-back Serginho Dest (19 years) from Ajax Amsterdam for five years with a deal amounting to 21 million euros.
"We hope that we can benefit from his footballing talent, and I am convinced of the fact that he will have a good year with us," he added.
Unlike Dembele, Blanes opened the door to departure for the other French defenders Samuel Umtiti and Jean-Claire Todibo.
On Umtiti, who recently spent most of his time in the clinic, he said, "For Umtiti, we wish him the best. He is a great player, but he is currently going through a difficult period. This is the hallmark of injuries in the football world."
And he added, "There are four days left of Mercato (the transfer period). It is an unusual Mercato. Much could happen."
Turning to Jean Claire, he said, "He has many offers. He wants to have more time to play and maturity in another team, and we have to respect that."
With the start of the new season, the Catalan club made many radical changes to its squad after its humiliating loss in the Champions League quarter-finals to Bayern 2-8 on the way to winning the title, and forfeiting its title in "La Liga" to rivals Real Madrid.
And after he nearly lost his star and captain, Argentine Lionel Messi, who expressed his desire to leave before retreating from his decision by compulsion, the new Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman, who replaced Quique Setien, decided to dismiss his duties, dispensing with the services of his close friends, Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez, who moved to Atletico. Madrid and Chile Arturo Vidal (Inter Milan), while Ivan Rakic of Croatia has returned to his former club, Seville.
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