Paris Saint-Germain 'in advanced talks over Ousmane Dembele deal'

Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly in advanced discussions over a deal for Ousmane Dembele.

The France international's contract at Barcelona is due to expire at the end of June, and the Catalan giants have thus far been unable to convince the attacker to sign an extension at Camp Nou.

PSG have been credited with an interest in the World Cup winner over the last few months, and according to journalist Ekrem Konur, the French champions are now in advanced talks with him over a switch to Paris.

The 25-year-old again struggled with injury issues during the 2021-22 campaign but finished the season with two goals and 13 assists in 32 appearances in all competitions.

Dembele was told to leave Camp Nou in January after refusing to sign a new deal, but he ultimately remained at the club beyond the transfer deadline and managed to work his way back into the side.

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Manchester United, Chelsea and Juventus are also among the clubs to be credited with an interest in the forward, who has spent the last five years at Barcelona, arriving from Borussia Dortmund in August 2017.

The former Rennes youngster has made 150 appearances for the Catalan giants in all competitions, contributing 32 goals and 34 assists in the process.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta recently said that the club had submitted a new offer to the France international "a long time ago" but were yet to hear back.

"The offer was presented a long time ago and they have taken time to answer us," Laporta told Catalunya Radio. "We cannot force anything because this depends on two parties.

"I believe that he will stay, but he is tempted by other options that he could believe are superior."

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Meanwhile, Barcelona boss Xavi recently said that he was "optimistic" over the attacker's future, calling him a "decisive player" for the team.

"He's a decisive player. I really like him, I'm optimistic: I hope Ousmane will continue here at Barca," Xavi told reporters ahead of Barcelona's final league match of the season against Villarreal.

Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano said earlier this week that Dembele's situation remains "open", with the two parties yet to come to an agreement, allegedly due to the attacker's wage demands.

"The meeting between Ousmane Dembele's agents and Barcelona took place this week. There's still no full agreement to extend the contract, it's still an open situation. Dembele's camp now waiting for an improved proposal if Barca will be able to resolve Fair Play issue," Romano wrote on Twitter.

Dembele scored once and provided 13 assists in 21 La Liga appearances during the 2021-22 campaign, as the Catalan giants finished second in the table behind Real Madrid.