Barcelona manager Xavi has tried to convince Ousmane Dembele to reconsider his imminent move to Paris Saint-Germain.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Xavi is deeply disappointed with the French winger’s decision and has cautioned him about the potential consequences.
Dembele’s rejection of Barcelona’s contract offer has set the stage for a potential transfer to the French giants, with his price tag hovering around €50 million.
The 26-year-old has already informed the Catalan club of his desire to activate the release clause in his contract before the deadline. He is keen on a return to France.
As the Barcelona squad arrived in Las Vegas, there was a delay. It was partially attributed to an intense heart-to-heart conversation between Xavi and Dembele at the Thompson Hotel.
Xavi made sure the former Borussia Dortmund attacker was well aware of the potential regrets that might follow, drawing a parallel to Neymar’s situation when he left Barcelona for PSG in 2017.
With the clock ticking down to a potential move, Dembele faces a tough decision. He may miss Barcelona’s upcoming friendly against AC Milan as he contemplates his future, wary that any injury could jeopardise the deal.
Dembele’s recent performance in El Clasico against Real Madrid, where he opened the scoring in Barcelona’s emphatic 3-0 win, highlighted his undeniable talent and value to the team.
Over six seasons at the club, he has contributed 40 goals and 43 assists in 185 games, showcasing his ability to make a significant impact even though injuries have blighted his time in Spain.
Xavi’s intervention may give Barcelona fans hope that the French winger may choose to stay and continue making a mark in Blaugrana colours.
