After several months of negotiations, it appears that Barcelona and Ousmane Dembele are close to reaching an agreement on renewing the French player's contract until at least 2024 with a reduction in his annual salary.
While nothing has been agreed upon yet, talks have intensified in recent weeks and the Blaugrana want to sign the contract before the new year.
The delay in concluding the deal indicated that the winger was keen to exit the club in the summer on a free transfer, with a number of major European clubs interested in him.
However, after Xavi arrived as a coach for Barca, a better version of Dembele appeared and he appears to be more optimistic about his future with the Barca captain at the helm of the technical management.
If he does not eventually sign a new deal, Barcelona will be looking to sell him quickly next January to avoid losing him for free in the summer.
There are many teams, such as Newcastle and Paris Saint-Germain, betrothed to the French international - who married a few days ago in the Moroccan manner - and paying health fees and removing him from the wage bill will be a consolation for the Blaugrana.
Dembele's wedding❤️❤️❤️😍 pic.twitter.com/ZgrKe1NBrn
— FCB World (@forcabarca_ar) December 23, 2021
Congratulations Othman 😍 pic.twitter.com/lpBNsNOHMA
— FCB World (@forcabarca_ar) December 23, 2021
However, indications at the moment are that Dembele and Barcelona are making positive progress in the negotiation process.