In the end it doesn't matter what Dembele demands and what Barca offers. It is obvious that the expectations of the two parties are too far apart and that everything points to a goodbye. Actually reminds a lot of the topic Alaba and Bayern, which also looked like a neverending story until Bayern finally drew a line and withdrew the offer. If the player had really wanted to stay, a solution would have been found. It's the same with Dembele. Happens.
Would have liked him longer at Barca as he creates havoc in opposing defenses, but I'm completely in line with the board's decision not to improve the offer. A replacement at his level costs 50m and good salary, so it could be debated if the salary could go up as Dembele is amortized and that brings benefits. All in all, after four and a half years at Barca, Dembele has 31 goals and 23 assists in 129 games and a whopping 102 (!) missed games due to injuries. Apart from games in which he was not used due to coach decisions, that is almost 45% of absenteeism.
I'm sure Barca made him a fair offer given those numbers. It is Dembele's right not to accept this offer. I'm sure there are clubs that are willing to offer _significantly_ more due to the fact that it is a 'free transfer' and because of his potential. Demand determines the price. Despite everything, Ousmane will be 25 in May. Young enough for a very well-paid 5-year contract, but also far from being the polished player he should be at that age. In the game against Madrid he was strong, but in the end the same picture as 4 years ago. Highly talented, but "raw" and the game isn't quite as mature as it should be. The many injuries have certainly contributed to the fact that he was not able to develop as one would have expected in the decisive and enormously important years. But I also sense a lack of game intelligence in him and that becomes apparent when you compare him with Ansu, for example, who is much younger.
I'm not one of the fraction "off in the stands with him". It was right in Ilaix' case, but here I'm against it. Dembele has 5 months left as a highly paid player at Barca and if Xavi thinks he can help us achieve the team's goals then let him keep counting on him. Of course, when in doubt you have to decide for the future and Ferran > Dembele, but that doesn't mean you have to do without Dembele entirely. Keyword Ferran, maybe he is already Dembele's replacement. In any case, Xavi has the entire second half of the season to find out in which position Ferran is better and can then act accordingly on the transfer market in the summer.
Anyone who expected gratitude and loyalty from Dembele has only himself to blame and has probably looked the other way in his last two transfers. For him it personally it can be hoped that his agent will not speculate and that he would be well advised to sign a new contract soon. A new, lengthy injury and the high-paying contract is no longer quite as high-paying. I'm guessing PSG as a likely destination. It would fit somehow. And who is sad about the little friendly relationship with this club... All in all, Dembele has one goal and two assists in 11 games this season. This is on average below his all-time figures of his Barca career. If his all-time figures at Barca were two-digit with a 5 ahead instead of 31 for goals and a 4 ahead instead of 23 for assists, then Barca's offer would look different despite its injury susceptibility. As of now, like many under Bartomeu, he was overpaid and the club did everything right with their offer.
