Barcelona are set to change their stance on Ousmane Dembele following his injury at Euro 2020 by offering the France winger a new contract, according to reports.
Sportsmail reported last month that Dembele, who was a £124million signing in 2017, had no plans to stay past his current contract which is in the final year, with the LaLiga giants planning to sell the 24-year-old when he took off to play for France earlier this summer.
But plans of a move this summer look to have been scuppered following Dembele's injury against Hungary during the tournament's group stages, ruling the winger out until at least October following surgery.
Spanish publication Sport now claims Barca will now make a U-turn on their stance and offer the Frenchman a new contract in order to avoid losing him for free next summer.
The report indicates the Catalan side will try and get a new deal agreed before the winter, when Dembele would be free discuss a pre-contract agreement with clubs outside Spain.
Sportsmail reported on Friday that Barca will meet with Dembele's agent next week in order to discuss where the player's future ultimately lies.
With the cash-strapped club in desperate need of reducing the wage bill after exceeding the LaLiga salary cap by over 40 per cent, so a new deal could see a heavy reduction to the reported £212,000-per-week he is currently on.
Dembele has largely struggled since his big-money move from Borussia Dortmund and was thought to be allowed to leave last summer with Ronald Koeman unconvinced by him.
But his 11 goals last season saw him deliver arguably his best season at the Nou Camp a new deal could mean there is a future at the club for him after all.
The club are believed to be in £1billion of debt due to the coronavirus pandemic and news of Messi having agreed to a 50 per cent pay cut on a new five-year deal was leaked on Wednesday.
The Catalan side, however, are looking to clear Dembele's compatriot Antoine Griezmann's salary off their wage bill following talks with Atletico Madrid over a swap deal with midfielder Saul Niguez.
Barcelona have also not been able to register their new signings - Sergio Aguero, Eric Garcia and Memphis Depay - due to their incredibly bloated wage bill.