Manager Xavi revealed that Ousmane Dembele has requested to leave Barcelona after reaching an agreement with Paris Saint-Germain on personal grounds.
Dembele, a France international, became one of the most expensive players ever when Barcelona paid Borussia Dortmund an initial £97 million in 2017, with add-ons potentially increasing the price to £135.5 million.
Dembele was plagued by injuries during his first few years at Camp Nou, but he returned to form last season, recording five goals and seven assists in 25 La Liga games. His six-season stint in Catalonia, though, is anticipated to come to an end soon.
According to reports earlier this week, Dembele has signed personal terms to join PSG on a five-year contract, with the Ligue 1 holders also negotiating a fee with Barcelona to sign the France international.
After Barcelona’s 1-0 preseason victory over AC Milan, Xavi told Relevo Dembele he wanted to leave and that he was dissatisfied with the way things had turned out.
The former Spain midfielder said: “I will be very clear, he has told us he wants to leave, he has a proposal from PSG and we can’t do anything.
“It leaves a bitter taste in my mouth because we have taken care of him so that he is happy here. A little disappointed, yes I am.”
Barca have been in talks with the forward over a new deal, however, Xavi has revealed the club could not financially compete with the contract offer tabled by PSG.
He added: “We cannot compete with the proposal that they’ve made to him, it’s out of our reach.
“It’s simple. He came to me with a proposal from PSG. Said that he wanted to leave, that he had spoken with Luis Enrique, with Nasser and has a proposal with which we cannot compete. We have asked him the reason and he has not been able to answer. I sense that it will be something personal. Disappointed? Yes. The important thing is that he has been clear. I wish him luck.
“He looked so happy to me, I did not expect it. That is the market. Whoever doesn’t want to be at Barca, you have to let him go.”