Report: Reason why Dembele left Barcelona for PSG despite good relations with Xavi

PSG forward Ousmane Dembele is enjoying a solid debut season in the French capital and as the player braces himself for a showdown with his former team Barcelona, reports related to his summer exit have resurfaced.

As reported by Mundo Deportivo, one of the main reasons Dembele decided to leave last year is because he felt unsupported by certain individuals within the club, except for Xavi. 

The French winger could not shake off the memory of what occurred in 2022, when the former sporting director, Mateu Alemany, sidelined him and banished him to the stands for a brief period for not renewing his contract. 

As a result, Dembele was concerned that a similar scenario might unfold this season if he did not renew again.

A bittersweet reunion

Dembele is set to reunite with his former teammates and particularly with his supportive ex-coach, Xavi tonight. This meeting fills him with joy as he fondly recalls his six years spent in Barcelona with great satisfaction. 

Ousmane Dembele left Barcelona in a fear. (Photo by MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP via Getty Images)

Despite a turbulent contract renewal process back in 2022, where he only signed for two years with a clause of €100 million, which was later halved for two months, he ultimately parted ways with Barcelona last summer.

Those close to the player affirm that he still keeps in touch with members of the coaching staff at Barcelona.

Dembele wished to avoid a repeat of 2022

Before departing, Dembele expressed his happiness with Xavi, but also mentioned others within the club who were not as supportive as the coach. 

The forward’s decision to leave for PSG was influenced by a past incident when he was sent to the stands in January 2022 for not agreeing to renew his contract six months prior to its end. 

Concerned that similar tensions might arise again, he decided to seek new challenges even though Alemany was no longer in charge and Deco had taken over as the director at Barça.

Prior to his exit, Dembele enjoyed his best season in Barcelona colours under the tutelage of Xavi. And tonight, the two will cross paths again, in what would be a bittersweet reunion.