Barcelona boss Xavi is 'optimistic' that Ousmane Dembele will finally sign a new contract and join his summer building job – and the striker could be paired with Robert Lewandowski in his new-look team next season.
Dembele's expiring contract has seen the France forward linked with Chelsea, PSG and Bayern Munich, although Xavi wants the 25-year-old to stay at Camp Nou after his return of 13 assists in 17 games since mid-December.
Barca's salary limit is finally not in negative numbers this summer, allowing Xavi to avoid the catastrophic enforced cost-cutting that saw all-time top scorer Lionel Messi tearfully leave the Spanish giants in August 2021.