Barcelona: the Dembélé file should drag on
It has been more than a year since the future of Ousmane Dembélé has been called into question at FC Barcelona. In 2020, his numerous injuries prompted Barca to sell him before the end of his contract (June 2022). But his return to form in 2021 fueled hopes of an extension. This weekend, the Catalan daily
Sport
informs that Barça does not expect a quick outcome in this case. Representatives of the French winger (24) want to keep up the pressure to negotiate the best possible contract. Extend Dembélé, it is "
one of the most urgent objectives
" of Barça, writes
Sport
.
The Blaugrana management knows that the world champion wants to stay, and would like to have him under contract until 2024, or even 2025. Juventus and Manchester United have often been cited as serious contenders for Dembélé, recruited for € 135 million in Dortmund in 2017 and who could therefore leave free next summer.
SEE ALSO -
Ousmane Dembélé's career full of pitfalls at FC Barcelona
ASSE: Puel serene despite the pressure
If he hopes it will be “
temporary
”, Claude Puel has acknowledged that AS Saint-Étienne was in “crisis” after the home defeat against OGC Nice on Saturday (0-3). The 60-year-old coach, whose team is the red lantern of Ligue 1 after 8 days, is one of the targets of harsh criticism from supporters. "
The audience that asked for my departure?" It's like that, I have already experienced this kind of situation,
commented Puel at a press conference, in remarks relayed by
Nice-Matin
.
My duty is to protect the interests of my team. Unlike the two previous matches, we missed out, we are fragile, we have to look after our heads.
"What better way to revive than the derby against Lyon,next Sunday at Geoffroy-Guichard?
Chelsea ready to break the bank for de Ligt?
Juventus are doing badly, and it's not because of Matthijs de Ligt, dazzling for his first two seasons at Turin.
The Dutch center-back (24) remains under contract until June 2024 with Juve, but if the team, 12th in Serie A, does not raise the bar, transfer rumors will increase.
This Sunday, Spanish daily
AS
claims Chelsea are watching de Ligt closely.
The Blues were close to signing Jules Koundé from Sevilla FC for more than € 50m last summer.
For de Ligt, they would be ready to spend up to € 120m, says
AS
.
Chelsea often evolve with a defense at 3, and Andreas Christensen (25), Antonio Rüdiger (28) and Thiago Silva (37) are all out of contract.
One thing is certain, Chelsea will strengthen in this sector before the 2022-23 season and are already advancing their pawns.
SEE ALSO -
Matthijs de Ligt's best at Juventus
Nasri did not want to play again in France "
if it was not for OM
"
He never uttered the word "retirement", but he more or less formalized the end of his playing career. Samir Nasri has not worn crampons since October 4, 2019, during a season of 9 small matches in Anderlecht before being held back by injuries and the Covid-19 pandemic. Reconverted as a consultant for Canal + this season, the 34-year-old former attacking midfielder returned to this difficult-to-digest end in the columns of
the Sunday Journal
. “
Vincent Kompany called me to come to Anderlecht
” in the summer of 2019, says Nasri of his former Belgian teammate at Manchester City. “
There was an emotional side, but also the idea of being a player and also a little in the staff,
details the former French international.
As I would like to train, I told myself that I would learn from him.
It didn't go as planned.
Then the championship was stopped because of the Covid.
Afterwards, I didn't necessarily want to.
No challenge kicked me.
And I couldn't see myself coming back to France if it wasn't for OM.
“Formed at the Marseille club, Nasri played 166 matches there before exploding at Arsenal and Manchester City, with two English league titles up for grabs.
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