Xavi on Dembele: He asked us to leave, he couldn't explain why
Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez has already spoken about Ousmane Dembele in the past tense. Although the French winger has not yet signed a contract with PSG, the specialist admitted that the footballer will leave the Catalans. Speaking to TV3 on the pitch at the Las Vegas Stadium after the 1-0 friendly with AC Milan and at the post-match press conference, Xavi explained: "I'll be clear, Dembele asked us to leave, told us he had an offer from PSG that they called him from there and he was very direct. It's a personal decision and we can't do anything about it.
I really feel sorry for him because we cared a lot for him to be happy and continue to make a difference, but he has this offer, he said he wants to leave and that's why he hasn't played. That's the law of the market, we can't compete with this offer, it's beyond our means and I wish him all the luck in the world because he's given us a lot, at least when I was coach." Xavi also admitted: "I'm a little disappointed , yes, but he told us that he had already spoken to Luis Enrique and Nasser Al Khelaifi and there was no way to convince him, we tried but the decision was made. I saw him so happy that I didn't expect it".
He assured that Dembele's 50 million euro release clause was not a surprise to him: "I am in contact with Matteo Alemany and we knew about the clause. This is the way the market develops. Barca continue. The players who do not want to stay at Barca, they must be released. I asked him 'Why, why'? He couldn't tell me, but it's clear that it's a personal matter for him."
Xavi also spoke about the selection in the team and the attraction of a replacement for the Frenchman: "We will see how the transfer market will develop, also with the departure of Dembele. We need to strengthen the squad. Dembele's departure weakens us. With what we have on the flank in defense, I'm happy, but we have to strengthen. But even if Usman had stayed, we would have had to strengthen as well. We need a clean right-back."
The coach of Barca also specified that Franck Kessier, who is expected to be transferred to Juventus, did not play against Milan because of some slight discomfort. Regarding the match itself, Xavi said: "We saw a great Barca, it was the best match of the three played in this tour of the USA, I was left with very good feelings".
He also praised Ansu Fatty's great goal: "It's an important goal for Ansu Fatty which made the difference and we are very happy for him and for the work of all the forwards." And he justified Gavi's absence due to injury: "Gavi will be fundamental for us. He is pure passion, a player who makes the difference. He hasn't changed at all. He didn't play because he has back pain. We keep him to play in the "Joan Gamper" tournament (b.ed. - the match will be against Tottenham on August 8).
