Joan Laporta: 'Ousmane Dembele wants to stay at Barcelona'

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has insisted that Ousmane Dembele wants to stay at Camp Nou.

The France international's contract with the Catalan giants is due to expire next summer, and the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Juventus are believed to be keen to sign him on a free transfer.

Laporta has revealed that Barcelona are in discussions with the 24-year-old's agent over a fresh deal, and the club are hopeful that an agreement can be reached in the near future.

"There is a very good relationship with [Dembele and] we are talking with his representative," Laporta told Sport. "Ousmane wants to stay. He is a player that interests us a lot. Him being able to play will be essential for the team to improve. The coach thinks so.

"If he is respected by injuries, he will be an important reinforcement for us this season. He has a contract, he's proven [his worth] and has been with us for years. We are trying to renew him. We knew that he was in his last year of contract."

Dembele, who could make his return from a knee injury against Valencia on Sunday, has scored 30 goals and registered 21 assists in 118 appearances for his current team in all competitions.