Ousmane Dembele issues Barcelona with contract ultimatum as Newcastle move looms

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Ousmane Dembele has issued a contract ultimatum to Barcelona as a potential move to Newcastle United gathers pace. The winger has endured a disastrous time at the Nou Camp since joining from Borussia Dortmund four years ago.

Much of those problems have stemmed from injuries, which have sidelined him for a significant chunk of his Barcelona career.

Those issues have continued this term, with the Frenchman making only three appearances so far.

A knee injury suffered that he suffered last year has only just fully healed, with Dembele only fit enough to appear from the bench this campaign.

He is also hardly endearing himself to new boss Xavi, with Dembele’s contract having entered its final year.

The 24-year-old will be free to sign a pre-contract agreement from the start of the January window, which could force Barca to sell him for a cut-price fee.

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Talks over a new deal for Dembele are stalling, with the possibility of him leaving Catalonia becoming ever more likely.

According to Sport, Barca have been putting pressure on Dembele and his representatives to sign an extension.

It is stated that a ‘decisive’ meeting between the two parties has been scheduled in for this week in an attempt to finally end the long-running saga.

Negotiations are described as being ‘tense’ though Xavi has told Dembele that he wants to keep the winger, with Barca having improved their original offer.

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Dembele himself is said to be happy to stay at Barca and has been made to feel as if he is one of the leaders of Xavi’s new sporting project.

That has led to optimism among Barca’s hierarchy that he will sign the deal that has been offered to him.

But as of yet that contract has not been signed, with Dembele now issuing an ultimatum to the La Liga giants.

Sport report that Dembele’s camp have informed Barca that if an agreement over an extension cannot be reached, he will not accept any offer to leave the club in January.

Instead, the Frenchman will stay at the Nou Camp until the end of the season when he can leave on a free transfer.

That is bad news for Barcelona, who would have been counting on selling Dembele in the winter window if a deal cannot be made.

While Barca will now be worried, it is encouraging news for Newcastle, who appear to be the frontrunners if Dembele leaves Spain.

Contact has been made between potential suitors and Dembele, with the Magpies able to blow Barcelona’s offer out of the water thanks to their Saudi Arabia owners.

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