FC Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez has now lifted the lid on his feelings towards wantaway forward Ousmane Dembele.
On the weekend, news broke that the 26-year-old France forward had verbally agreed to a shock move to Paris Saint-Germain.
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The Blaugrana are currently in the United States of America and after their 3-0 pre-season win over Real Madrid on Saturday, the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner dropped the bombshell that he would like to leave the Camp Nou for the Parc des Princes.
The Vernon native's decision left Barca boss Xavi disappointed, with the Spanish tactician having backed Dembele to succeed in Catalonia when he was facing heavy scrutiny from fans and the press during contract negotiations in 2022.
The club legend was ultimately vindicated in his support of the Les Bleus star as they went on to end the club's four-year wait for a league title together last season, with Dembele having his best campaign yet for the Blaugrana.
This is why news that he is now seeking an exit came as a shock to many, and following the LALIGA champions' victory over AC Milan in their final pre-season match in America early on Wednesday morning, Xavi expressed his dismay at potentially losing the winger.
"Dembele? He has told us that he wants to leave and that he has a proposal from PSG," the former midfielder said after their 1-0 win over the Serie A giants, as per Barca Centre.
"He did not play today because he wants to leave. It's a pity.
"I am disappointed with him as we have taken great take care of him.
"We cannot compete with PSG's offer.
"... I wish Dembele all the best at PSG. He gave us so much.
"Of course I tried to convince him to stay, but he told me that he spoke to [PSG manager] Luis Enrique and [PSG president Nasser] Al-Khelaifi.
"There was no way to convince him, it's final and it's his personal decision."
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With Dembele said to have asked for formal permission to speak to PSG, Barcelona have reportedly decided to no longer fight to keep him and agree to let him go to the Parisians, with a view to using the funds from his sale to reinforce their squad.
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