Ousmane Dembele could be on his way out of Paris Saint-Germain in the summer, with the France international yet to reach an agreement over a contract extension.
Undoubtedly one of the most important players in Luis Enrique’s squad, Dembele is yet to agree to a new contract despite starting discussions with PSG since the start of the ongoing season.
PSG are said to be prepared to increase Dembele’s salary from £15.5m to £26m per year, while the player himself is reportedly seeking double that figure. The gap is significant, and a deal looks some way off.
Ousmane Dembele is yet to sign a new contract at Paris Saint-Germain. (Photo by Franco Arland/Getty Images)
According to L’Equipe, talks are on hold as both partie consider now as a wrong time.
The priority is the Champions League, with the reigning European champions set to face Liverpool in their quarter-final second leg on Tuesday. Nothing is expected to move in this matter until the end of the season.
L’Equipe explains that the outcome of this season’s European campaign could have a direct bearing on the situation.
An elimination at the quarter-final or semi-final stage “could fuel the idea of a new cycle and push the Parisian decision-makers to open a new chapter.”
Conversely, a decisive Dembele performance all the way to another final would only strengthen his negotiating position.
L’Equipe noted that those in Dembele’s circle have observed that PSG are set to make Luis Enrique one of the highest-paid managers in world football at around £17m per year — while the player himself has taken note of the enormous wages previously paid to Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar in Paris, none of whom delivered a Champions League title.
The report added that senior officials in PSG are focusing on securing the futures of young talents Sini Mayolo and Bradley Barcola, with Dembele not being priotised.
President Nasser Al-Khelaifi has publicly confirmed a wage cap, insisting that “the interests of the team and the club are paramount”—a remark many view as a direct message to Dembele.
The ongoing tension between both parties could benefit Saudi Arabia, which is eyeing the French winger for a move after this season.
A sizeable financial package is being readied to entice the French international to Saudi football after he features at next summer’s World Cup.
