Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele, who was linked with Chelsea in the January transfer window, will return to the fold according to manager Xavi.
Dembele was told to leave the club in the January and that he wouldn’t feature for Barcelona again after failing to agree terms on a new deal.
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Chelsea were heavily linked with a deadline day approach for the winger, but the Frenchman will remain at Camp Nou until the end of the season when his contract expires.
Barca boss Xavi has now confirmed that Dembele will return to the squad for their La Liga clash with Atletico Madrid.
As reported by the Daily Mail, Xavi said: “We couldn’t find a solution to Dembele’s situation. The circumstances were what they were a month ago and now they are different. He’s part of the club and the squad and he has a contract.
“We met with the president, the board and sporting director and we have decided that he is part of the squad and we can’t shoot ourselves in the foot.
“We have to use him and he can help us. He has been a good professional and the club has taken its decision and I’ll use him whenever it’s convenient. He’s just like any other player.”
The Spaniard added: “I understand the position of the fans who are perhaps hurt by Dembele.
“We have to close ranks and think about ourselves, he can help us achieve our goals. What does it matter if we were wrong or not? We are a family and we decided together what is best for the club and for the team.”
Whilst Barca didn’t lose Dembele in January, they did add two Premier League stars to their ranks.
Wolves winger Adama Traore returned to the club on an initial loan deal whilst the club also completed the signing of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on a free transfer after the player fell-out with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.
Xavi gave an update on the duo’s availability: “Both of them have trained well, Adama is in better shape. Aubameyang had COVID-19 and is working individually. Tomorrow we will decide if both are available.”
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