Barcelona 'offer Ousmane Dembele new five-year contract'

Barcelona have reportedly offered Ousmane Dembele a new deal until the summer of 2028.

The 25-year-old's current deal with the Catalan giants is due to expire in June 2024, and there has recently been speculation surrounding his long-term future at Camp Nou.

Dembele actually technically left Barcelona on a free transfer for a two-week period last summer before re-signing, but he only penned a two-year deal due to the club's financial problems.

There have been suggestions that the France international will have a €50m (£43.6m) release clause in his contract in June and July, and the likes of Chelsea, Newcastle United and Manchester United have been credited with an interest.

However, according to journalist Luis Rojo, Barcelona are looking to end the speculation surrounding his future by signing the forward to a new five-year contract.

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Dembele's season was interrupted by a hamstring injury which kept him on the sidelines from the end of January to the end of April.

However, the attacker has now featured in Barcelona's last two matches, coming off the bench in the 4-0 victory over Real Betis on April 29 and 1-0 success over Osasuna on May 2.

Dembele was in impressive form for Xavi's side in the first half of the campaign, and he has scored eight goals and registered seven assists in 30 appearances at club level this term.

The forward is currently in his sixth season for Barcelona, and he has represented the club on 180 occasions, scoring 40 goals and registering 41 assists in the process.

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Barcelona are unlikely to take any chances over Dembele's fitness in the closing stages of the season, as the club are in a commanding position at the top of La Liga, sitting 13 points clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid.

The attacker has struggled with a number of hamstring problems during his time at Camp Nou, and his latest issue came during a period where he was arguably in his best form for the club.

Barcelona are expected to be active during this summer's transfer window despite their financial problems, and a new midfielder is likely to arrive following the news that Sergio Busquets will depart at the end of June when his contract expires.

Raphinha continues to be heavily linked with an exit, although the Brazil international has denied suggestions that he could leave the club after just one season.