Barcelona want to extend my contract until 2027, but we’ll see, says Dembélé. Will he challenge Raphinha to a duel or will he leave?

One of the most expensive footballers in history, Ousmane Dembélé has become one of the key figures in Xavi’s team and is happy at Barcelona. Meanwhile, the player himself believes that he will remain at the club now that his new contract will be dealt with. His current one expires at the end of next season.

Dembélé played 35 games last season, during which he managed to score 8 times and added 9 assists. However, he picked up an injury at the end of February and did not return to the pitch until the end of April.

The skilful 26-year-old winger is undoubtedly still one of the key players for the Catalan side, who will now look to secure their gem for years to come. Dembélé spoke about this very topic in an interview with Marca.

So how are the negotiations regarding a new contract going? “It’s going very well. Barcelona want me to extend my contract until 2027, my representatives will negotiate with them. I’m happy here, but we’ll see what happens.”

However, Brazilian Raphinha has also been at Camp Nou since last year and played 50 games last season, scoring 10 goals and adding 12 assists.

Moreover, everyone is very aware of how the French winger is often injured, as he has definitely failed to live up to the expectations he came to Barcelona with in 2017.

Dembélé, however, welcomes the competition. “Competition is always good for the team. Raphinha is a great player. I know him from his time at Rennes, which is my team, and I’ve always followed him. But competition between players is a good thing, it helps the team to develop and grow.”

The French winger is certainly not wrong about that. Xavi is no doubt extremely happy to have such excellent players at one position. But at the same time, it could easily be that Dembélé decides to make a change and heeds the call of another team.

There are a number of clubs in need of an excellent right winger. There are several in the Premier League alone. Moreover, it would certainly help Barcelona financially, as it has been discussed for some time that the club will have to find a considerable amount in the budget to extend Dembélé’s contract.

Source: Marca, Transfermarkt