Barcelona boss Xavi has hinted that the board could force him to sell Ousmane Dembele this month due to the Frenchman's ongoing contract saga. Despite what was deemed to be positive progress from Barca towards the start of the Spaniard's tenure, the World Cup winner is yet to put pen to paper on a new deal in Catalonia, with talks currently at an impasse.
Xavi wants to keep Dembele but the winger is said to be hesitating over a final salary.
His agent, Moussa Sissoko, this week claimed Barcelona are at risk of losing their player on their own accord.
He told RMC: “Barca are losing Dembele on their own. They cannot use the threat that Dembele will spend six months without playing if he does not renew now.
“It's a kind of pressure that doesn't work against people like us and me."
Barcelona boss Xavi has warned Ousmane Dembele that may have to sell him this January (Image: GETTY)
However, now Xavi has urged Dembele and his camp to hurry up and finalise a decision because the board are ready to sell this month if an agreement cannot be reached.
"It's a difficult situation with Dembele," the Barcelona head coach said.
"The club have decided that if he doesn't renew, we have to look for a solution because they've been waiting too long.
"It's five months that (Mateu Alemany) has been speaking with the agents. Either he renews, or we look for a solution."
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One of those solutions could be Newcastle, who have reportedly made a "big offer" to Dembele, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The former Borussia Dortmund attacker is free to negotiate with foreign clubs now he is in the final six months of his contract.
It's believed Newcastle would lean more towards a summer transfer though, as opposed to adding Dembele to their squad this month.
That said, Eddie Howe needs bodies and quality in his club's quest for Premier League survival.