$131M Star 'Tempted' To Leave Barcelona Ahead Of 2022 Summer [Details]

FC Barcelona chief Joan Laporta has said Ousmane Dembele is "tempted" by a possible transfer option to another club in the 2022 summer.

Dembele, who moved from Borussia Dortmund to Barcelona at $131 million ahead of the 2017-18 season, has a contract with the Catalans only till this summer. He has not signed an extension yet despite having already received a new deal. Dembele has asked for time to make a decision regarding his Camp Nou future, according to Goal.com.

Several top European clubs, including Manchester United, are interested in landing the French forward and are willing to offer a superior contract to Dembele than Barcelona. However, Laporta believes that the club's culture and the relationships the player has built could be enough to keep hold of him.

"He wants to stay, but he is very tempted by other options that offer better conditions. The offer has been presented for a long time and they have asked us for time until the end of the season, next week. We already wanted an answer before, but we can't force it because Dembele ends his contract. The coach and I like him. We have made a very important effort to keep him," Laporta told Catalunya Radio, reported SPORT.

Laporta also added that Dembele is currently very comfortable at Barcelona and shares a "good personal relationship with everyone."

"Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has come, with him and they are very good friends. He has some representatives who control the situation, but I hope he stays. If not, we will strengthen that position," added Laporta.

Dembele has been an injury-prone player at Barcelona. Even in the ongoing campaign, he has missed 16 games due to knee and hamstring injuries. He has still managed to play 31 competitive matches in the 2021-22 season, scoring two goals and providing 13 assists. No player in La Liga has provided more assists than Dembele this term.

Having won 21 games, drawn 10 and lost six, Barcelona are second in the 2021-22 La Liga table.