Reported Arsenal and Chelsea transfer target Ousmane Dembele's future at Barcelona is shrouded in doubt.
Dembele joined the Catalan giants for a reported £135million back in the summer of 2017 but has failed to replicate the electric form he showed during his time with Borussia Dortmund, suffering from a number of injury problems and struggling with consistency issues.
Now, the French international is into the final six months of his contract at the Nou Camp and Blaugrana boss Xavi Hernandez has admitted that the La Liga outfit are prepared to sell Dembele in the January transfer window if he is unable to agree a new deal before the end of the month.
“The message is clear. Ousmane Dembele has to sign a new contract or we find a way to sell him in January. No other way," Xavi said in a press conference on Wednesday.
"What I can say is that we are making a difficult decision. If he does not renew, the club has decided that they will make a decision. We have waited a long time, we have been in talks with him for five months. Either he renews or a solution is sought.
"I've been very honest with him, it's not an easy situation. All or nothing. We feel bad, but what comes first are the interests of the club.
"It is not contemplated that he stays in the stands. I have been very clear with Ousmane."
The 24-year-old's agent Moussa Sissoko has previously questioned the way Barcelona have treated his client, claiming that the problems go much deeper than wages.
Speaking about the situation earlier this month, Sissoko said: “Everyone talks about money. But it’s not only money for us.
“Also the management with the player day to day is very important. How can he play right after getting Covid without even training?”
Now, Xavi has fired back at the Frenchman, admitting he has been left bemused by the different comments of the player and his agent.
“I also wonder about the agent talking the way he is and Dembele, on the other hand, telling me he wants to stay. I can’t understand," the Barcelona icon added.
