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Xavi refuses to rule out Ousmane Dembele exit amid Paris Saint-Germain rumours

Xavi refuses to rule out Dembele exit amid PSG rumours
© Reuters
Barcelona boss Xavi refuses to rule out a summer move for Ousmane Dembele, with Paris Saint-Germain allegedly pushing to sign him.

Barcelona boss Xavi has refused to rule out a summer move for Ousmane Dembele, with Paris Saint-Germain said to be pushing for the France international's signature.

The 26-year-old only has a deal at Camp Nou until next June, while it is understood that there is a €50m (£43m) release clause in his current contract, which increases to €100m (£86m) on Monday.

PSG are believed to be preparing to trigger the buy-out fee, with the French champions said to be determined to bring in Dembele during a summer when Kylian Mbappe could potentially depart.

The attacker was on the scoresheet in Barcelona's 3-0 win over Real Madrid in Texas on Saturday evening, finding the back of the net in the 15th minute before Fermin Lopez and Ferran Torres netted late on.

Xavi said after the match that Dembele is "happy at Barca", but the club's head coach admitted that anything is possible during the summer transfer window.

Barcelona coach Xavi reacts on March 19, 2023© Reuters

"We will see, in the transfer window you never know. I see Ousmane happy at Barca... then if there's something, he'll tell us. For now he's here and he's happy," Xavi told reporters.

Dembele made the move to Barcelona from Borussia Dortmund in August 2017, and he has represented the Catalan outfit on 185 occasions, scoring 40 goals and registering 43 assists in the process.

Last season, the attacker made 35 appearances at club level, scoring eight goals and registering nine assists, including five goals and seven assists in La Liga, as Xavi's side won the title.

Speaking ahead of the clash with Real Madrid, Barcelona captain Sergi Roberto played down suggestions that Dembele was on his way out of the club.

Ousmane Dembele in action for Barcelona on October 4, 2022© Reuters

"I don't see Dembele leaving Barca. He is the most decisive player we have because of his way of playing," Roberto told reporters when questioned on the transfer speculation.

"He is a key piece for us and much loved in the dressing room."

Barcelona's three-goal success over Real Madrid came at a cost, with Andreas Christensen and new signing Ilkay Gundogan both forced off in the first half of the contest through injury.

Dembele played 66 minutes of El Clasico, being replaced by Raphinha, while Marcos Alonso and Ansu Fati were also among those to feature off the bench in the second period.

Barcelona will continue their preparations for the 2023-24 campaign with a clash against AC Milan on Tuesday evening before taking on Tottenham Hotspur in the Joan Gamper Trophy final on August 8.

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Written by
Matt Law

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Raphinha in action for Barcelona on August 13, 2022
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