Ousmane Dembele has claimed that his “first option” this summer was “always” to remain at Barcelona amid reported interest from Chelsea and Man Utd.
The winger made a name for himself earlier in his career as he performed well for Rennes and Borussia Dortmund.
FC Barcelona paid an initial fee of £89m to sign him ahead of the 2017/18 campaign. He has been impacted by injuries as he has only played 102 times in La Liga in five seasons.
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His contract at Barcelona expired earlier this summer and he has been linked with a move away in recent months. Chelsea and Man Utd have been among the clubs targeting him.
Dembele has now committed his future to Barcelona. He has penned a two-year deal that expires in 2024.
The Frenchman is confident that next season will be “big” for himself and the football club:
“Barça was my dream club since I was little and I am looking forward to a new season and doing everything for this club,” Dembele explained (quotes via 90min).
“Barça was always my first option, and we are all happy and eager to start. Barça always has to be up there challenging for titles, and my dream is to win the Champions League. I will do everything, work hard for the boss on the pitch and hopefully this will be a big year for me and Barça”.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta insisted that the club are “very happy” to keep hold of Dembele:
“I am a huge admirer of his human qualities and want to thank him because he always wanted to stay. He has made a major effort given the circumstances we are in, and I am grateful to everyone who has helped make sure he stays at Barça,” he said.
“We are very happy, he has extraordinary talent, incomparable. He has very specific talents and they do a lot for us. Xavi always wanted him here and so did the club. This year we have to fight for trophies.”
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