Barca director of football: 'We want committed players' & Dembele has to leave

Sporting director Mateu Alemany slammed Dembele for a lack of commitment to the club and confirmed talks with his representatives started back in July.

'We understand Dembele's decision is to not continue (at Barça) and we've communicated our decision (to leave him out).' Alemany said.

'We want players that are committed to the club and we have told him he has to leave the club as soon as possible.

'We started talks in July. We have made several offers, which were all rejected. He has been told that he must leave the club, he is not committed to the project.'

 "The reality is that with Ousmane Dembélé we began negotiations with his agents five months ago. During this time there has been continuous communication in which the club's position has been to want him to continue."

"Different offers have been made to him. We have been on top of this issue. We have done enough for the player to consider what he has to do with his future."

Ousmane Dembélé has been excluded from today's squad due to the ongoing renewal saga. 

Dembele was informed by manager Xavi on Wednesday that he would have to depart Camp Nou unless he signed a new contract.

The winger is not willing to pen fresh terms, director of football Mateu Alemany revealed on Thursday, paving the way for the Frenchman to depart.

What next for Dembele?

Dembele has spent the last four-and-a-half seasons at Camp Nou, having initially joined the club from Borussia Dortmund for €145 million (£121m/$164m) in 2017, but now only has six months left to run on his contract.

Barca have been trying to tie the 24-year-old down for several months but there has been no sign of a final agreement being reached, with Xavi warning the winger that he was running out of time to make a decision.

“The message is clear. Ousmane Dembele has to sign a new contract or we find a way to sell him in January. No other way," Xavi said in a press conference on Wednesday.

"It is not contemplated that he stays in the stands. I have been very clear with Ousmane."

It now appears that Dembele has made clear that he will not renew with Barca, and the club will actively look to move him on this month to try and recoup a transfer fee.

Dembele has appeared in 11 games across all competitions in 2021-22 so far and has only managed to record one goal and two assists, in keeping with his lack of consistency during his time at Barca where he has often struggled for form and fitness.