France international Ousmane Dembele is close to renewing his contract with Spanish La Liga heavyweights Barcelona. This is according to the latest reports emanating from the Spanish media. France star Dembele is a free agent at the moment after his Barcelona contract ended last month.

Barcelona signed Dembele for a lot of money five years ago, but his time at the club has been affected negatively by various injuries. The Catalan giants paid an initial fee of £97m plus add-ons for his transfer from Borussia Dortmund in the German league.

On his contract, a specific report from Spanish media outlet Marca said the 25-year-old France international is on the verge of agreeing a new contract with Barcelona. It was revealed that Dembele has agreed to take a pay cut for him to sign a two-year contract extension with Barcelona. Manager Xavi Hernandez has played a big role with the Spaniard keen for the Frenchman to stay at the Nou Camp beyond this summer.

The aforementioned report stated that Dembele will take a 40% pay cut to extend his Barcelona stay. The France international will earn the reduced salary for his two-year contract extension until 2024 and he would be in the same earning bracket as AnsuFati who made his breakthrough at Barcelona at the start of the penultimate season. It’s not all doom and gloom for Dembele as regards his reduced salary as he has the opportunity to increase his earnings with add-ons dependent on performances and participation.

A lot of reports in Spain have stated that the move for Leeds United winger Raphinha won’t be disturbed by the contract renewal involving Dembele. Barcelona are keen to have Raphinha and Dembele in their team ahead of the new season. However, the deal for Brazilian star Raphinha is still a long way from completion as they are yet to agree a fee with Leeds United for his services.