It’s looking increasingly likely that Newcastle United transfer target Ousmane Dembele will not be playing his football at Barcelona next season.
Barcelona fans are still frustrated with the World Cup winner and how his contract with the Catalan giants looks to be fizzling out.
But the 24-year-old very much remains part of Xavi’s plans for the rest of the season and he produced a devastating cameo off the bench against Athletic Bilbao last night.
Replacing former Manchester City man Ferran Torres with 25 minutes remaining with Barcelona leading 1-0, Dembele entered the Nou Camp to some whistles and boos.
But within five minutes of being on the pitch, Barcelona’s number seven turned the jeers into cheers with a clinical finish.
After picking up the ball from Frenkie de Jong on the left, the Frenchman smashed the ball past Spain’s number one goalkeeper Unai Simon, from inside the penalty, into the near top corner.
In the 90th minute, this time playing from the right, Dembele turned provider and crossed the ball to former Newcastle man Luuk de Jong, who headed home.
There was still time for the former Borussia Dortmund man to provide another assist for a Dutch international.
Dembele once again tormented the defence before putting the ball on a plate for Memphis Depay who tapped home Barcelona’s fourth.
Xavi was asked about Dembele’s future after last night’s win, but the Barcelona boss said he doesn’t have anything to do with the contract negotiations, but he praised the winger’s performance.
When Dembele’s in that type of form he’s unplayable and every side in the world would want him to be playing for their club.
With his Barcelona contract set to expire in June, clubs across Europe will be hoping to lure him with their projects and huge wage promises.
According to Marca, Newcastle were one of three teams who were monitoring Dembele towards the end of last month’s transfer window. Manchester United and Chelsea were also said to be ‘actively considering’ a late swoop for the France international.
Newcastle have been linked with a move for Dembele ever since the club’s lucrative takeover went through.
The French international is a world-class player but his injury record has hampered his career.
However, with Newcastle climbing away from the relegation zone, a blockbuster move for Ousmane Dembele, which would make the rest of Europe sit up and take notice cannot be ruled out.
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