Barcelona board want to keep 26-year-old star at the club, pondering sale of Ousmane Dembele – Reports

According to Gerard Romero (via Barca Universal), Barcelona's board are engaged in the juggling act of retaining the club's shining stars while also strategically offloading a few. The aim is to balance the books and find the funds they need from player sales.

Three eminent names from the first-team roster are said to be hovering on the brink of a summer exit. This comes as the club, grappling with the harsh reality of its financial situation, is pushed to consider further departures. The tightrope that the club needs to walk requires finesse and tact, giving rise to a summer that promises to be anything but dull.

Notably, Gerard Romero has revealed that the future of two vital attackers, Ousmane Dembele and Raphinha, is hanging in the balance. Despite their instrumental role in bolstering Barca's performance this season, a shadow of uncertainty looms. Dembele's contribution, in particular, has been slightly marred due to a spell of injury-induced absence.

Romero's sources indicate that the Barcelona coaching staff is keen on keeping both Raphinha and Dembele at Camp Nou. They are adamant that Dembele and Raphinha are crucial cogs in their plans for the upcoming season. However, the board seems to have a contrasting opinion regarding Dembele.

The French attacker might require a hefty wage increase to keep him at Camp Nou, thereby setting the stage for some tough financial decisions. Dembele's contract, set to expire in 2024, comes with a built-in escape clause worth €50 million, available for activation this summer.

With this in mind, the board is considering the prospect of cashing in on the former Dortmund prodigy, a move that could add a cool €50 million to their coffers. Nevertheless, a counter-scenario is also plausible, where Dembele chooses to see out his contract until 2024, denying Barcelona the potential financial gain from his sale this summer.

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Barcelona are now in pursuit of Yannick Carrasco

Catalan powerhouse Barcelona are reportedly revving up their engines to fast-track the acquisition of Atletico Madrid's seasoned winger, Yannick Carrasco. Mateu Alemany, the club's director of football, is said to be pressing for an expedited conclusion to the deal for the Belgian international in the coming weeks.

Reports by SPORT (via Hard Tackle) reveal that Barcelona, despite possessing the option to sign Carrasco for €18 million, is intent on driving a harder bargain. As the Catalonian side continues its efforts towards financial recovery, it's clear that every euro counts in their transfer dealings.

Carrasco, 29, has etched his name in the annals of La Liga as one of its most reliable performers, thanks to his fruitful spells with Atletico Madrid. His vital contribution in securing the La Liga title for Atletico in the 2020/21 season is well-documented.

With summer approaching, it seems the stage is set for Carrasco's departure from Atletico Madrid, and Barcelona is emerging as a likely destination. Barca had secured a purchase option worth €18 million for Carrasco as part of the deal that saw Memphis Depay moving to Atletico Madrid. They had also toyed with the idea of bringing in the Belgian during the January transfer window.