Ousmane Dembele 'determined to sign a new contract at Barcelona'

Ousmane Dembele is reportedly keen to sign a new long-term contract at Barcelona, with the attacker arguably playing his best football for the club since arriving in 2017.

The 25-year-old has featured on 177 occasions for the Catalan outfit in all competitions since making the move from Rennes, contributing 40 goals and 41 assists in the process, but he had a stop-start first few seasons due to a number of injury problems.

Dembele's contract at Camp Nou came to an end last June, which technically made him a free agent before he re-signed with Barcelona in the middle of July, penning a new deal until June 2024.

Having entered the last 18 months of his deal, there has been speculation surrounding his long-term future, with Paris Saint-Germain said to be monitoring the situation.

However, according to Sport, Dembele is only interested in signing a new long-term deal at Camp Nou.

© Reuters

The report claims that the France international currently feels 'very satisfied' with his life off the field, while he is confident that he is at the right club at this stage of his career.

Dembele has made 27 appearances for Barcelona in all competitions during the 2022-23 campaign, scoring eight goals and registering seven assists in the process.

In La Liga, the attacker has five goals and five assists in 17 La Liga outings, while he has two goals in two Copa del Rey appearances, including the winner against Real Sociedad on Wednesday night.

Speaking ahead of Saturday's La Liga clash with Girona, Barcelona boss Xavi said that he is hopeful Dembele will stay at the club "for many years".

© Reuters

"For me he is important, he is different and fundamental. It's hard to find such decisive players in one-on-one situations," the Spaniard told reporters.

"The club know that. Since we've been here he's been at an extraordinary level. I hope he stays here for many years. We try to make sure he never gets injured. We do load control work, gym work.

"He has changed his mind and he is happy. He feels loved and happy and that's important. I give him confidence. I've been delighted with him since the first day."

Manchester United and Chelsea were among the clubs to be credited with an interest in Dembele last year when it appeared that he would be ending his association with Barcelona on a permanent basis.