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Barcelona may be suspending plans to ditch Ousmane Dembélé in January due to Ansu Fati’s long-term injury, although the club fears losing the French winger in a free transfer, according to a new report.
Dembélé’s contract expires in a year and a half, and Barcelona is rumored to want to sell him for a big injection of cash. Manchester United were reportedly interested in the earlier transfer window, although the forward himself declined the option.
Barcelona want to raise funds to sign Memphis Depay from Lyon, who has admitted that he may not finish the season there. However, Fati’s injury will leave the young star on the sidelines for four months. Barcelona may be less willing to let Dembélé go under the circumstances, doubly if the Frenchman continues to perform well in terms of scoring (he scored the first goal in a 5-2 win over Real Betis).
Still, coaches are said to question his defensive contribution and tactical discipline. Another factor is that the club does not want to enter the last year of its contract. They want to sell it or agree to extend the deal.
