Joan Laporta: 'Xavi will make call on Ousmane Dembele involvement'

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has said that head coach Xavi will decide whether Ousmane Dembele represents the club again following his contract saga.

The Catalan giants attempted to sell the France international during the January transfer window, with the attacker refusing to sign a new deal at Camp Nou.

The World Cup winner has been left out of Barcelona's last two matchday squads amid the uncertainty surrounding his future, and Laporta has said that the 24-year-old will not be at the club next season.

However, Xavi will be left to decide whether the attacker will be involved between now and the end of the 2021-22 campaign.

"Ousmane Dembele won't be here next season, I feel he has an agreement with another club - so it's gonna be difficult to see him playing again with Barca," Laporta told reporters. "Of course Xavi will decide whether Dembele will play again or not this season."

Dembele has again struggled with injuries during the 2021-22 season, being restricted to just 11 appearances in all competitions, contributing one goal and two assists in the process.

Manchester United, Juventus, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea were all credited with an interest in his services during the winter window.