Ousmane Dembele has released a statement after the reported Liverpool target was officially made available for transfer and told he must leave immediately by Barcelona.
The 24-year-old, who joined the La Liga giants for €105 million in the summer of 2017, is into the final six months of his contract.
And this morning Barcelona director Mateu Alemany announced that Dembele had been told he must go before the end of the January transfer window after a new contract was failed to be agreed upon.
Alemany said: "It’s clear that Dembélé does NOT want to continue with Barcelona. He doesn’t want to be part of our project.
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"We told Dembélé he has to leave immediately. We expect Ousmane to be sold before Jan 31”.
But now Dembele has hit back.
In a statement, he said: "It's been four years since I've stopped reading things about myself without ever trying to justify myself. Gossip about me has been piling up for four years. It's been fours years since people have spoken for me, shamefully lied with one sole purpose, to harm me. I have been on my line of never answering for four years, of not justifying myself. Has it been a mistake? Surely.
"As of today it's over. From today I will speak honestly without giving in to any kind of blackmail. I am 24 years old and like every man I have flaws, imperfections. I have lived through complex moments, injuries. Covid has affected me. Without the slightest training session, the coach has requested me and I have always complied without question. Perform as well as I have always done because it is my passion. I am fully aware of my luck to dedicate myself to the most beautiful job in the world.
"Also, my message is transparent. I forbid anyone to give the impression that I am not involved in the sports project. I forbid anyone to attribute intentions to me that I have never had. I forbid anyone to speak for me or my representative, whom I fully trust. Still under contract, I am fully involved and at the disposal of my club, my coach. I have always given everything for my colleagues and also for all the partners, it is not now that this is going to change. I am not a man who cheats and even less a man who has a habit of giving into blackmail.
"As you know there are negotiations. I let my agent handle it, it's his turf. Mt field is the ball, playing football, sharing moments of joy with my team-maters and members. Above all, let's focus of winning."
Dembele confirmed in 2017 that Jurgen Klopp had wanted him to sign for Liverpool when he was leaving Rennes for Borussia Dortmund in 2016.
“I saw Klopp in Paris but I told him I'd made up my mind to sign for BVB," the France international told FourFourTwo .
Given Liverpool’s previous interest in Dembele, perhaps his new availability for a cut-price fee could see Klopp renew his interest.
A number of big European clubs, including Chelsea, are expected to be interested.
