Why Barcelona offering a new contract to Ousmane Dembele would be the right step

According to sources at Barcelona (via ESPN), the club have started talks with Ousmane Dembele regarding a new contract. The winger’s current deal is set to expire in 2022.

While all transfers and contract negotiations are reported to be on hold till a new president is elected, certain plans such as Dembele’s contract are being moved forward with. There has been interest in Dembele from Manchester United but the club are assured that he will commit to a new long-term deal.

Profile

Ousmane Dembele is a 23-year-old French winger who plays for FC Barcelona. The lanky winger started his youth career at Madeleine Evreux in 2004 and moved to Rennes’ youth team in 2010.

He spent 5 years in the youth teams and made his first start for Rennes II in 2014. Finally, in 2015, he broke into the first-team at Stade Rennais. He made 29 appearances that season, scored 12 goals and made 5 assists (source – Transfermarkt).

Borussia Dortmund signed him in 2016 and he exploded onto the scene. His pace, trickery and ambipedal nature were there for everyone to see. He played 50 games for the German outfit that season and contributed to 32 goals (10 goals + 22 assists).

The following season, he forced a move to Barcelona. It has not gone to plan though. Injuries have plagued him and that has restricted him to just 85 appearances so far. He has missed a total of 80 games for the club in that duration (source – Transfermarkt). Dembele has featured 21 times for his country and won the FIFA World Cup in 2018.

Barcelona are right in extending Dembele’s contract

Ever since his Rennes days, Dembele came to be known as one of the best emerging talents in Europe. His Dortmund move showcased his skills further as his dribbling ability became famous. However, since his transfer to the Catalan side, he has been plagued by repeated injuries. Last season, he was restricted to just 9 appearances.

Things are looking up this season, though. He has managed to feature in 11 games already this season while scoring 4 times. Dembele’s potential and talent was never in doubt but it was his injuries and behavioural issues that have affected his Barcelona stint. 41 goal contributions in 85 games is by no means a bad stat for a winger.

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This could finally be the season where Dembele gets a good chance to shine in a Barcelona shirt. He will be essential to the club’s fortunes as they usher into a new era.

While the club were previously open to letting him leave, they are now doing the right thing by offering him a new long-term contract to ensure his future lies at the Nou Camp.