Former Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has urged teammate Ousmane Dembele to stay with Barcelona amid interest from Chelsea. The Blues have been linked with a move for the ex-Borussia Dortmund wideman for some time, with his contract in Spain set to come to an end at the conclusion of the current season.
He would be available on a free transfer to any interested party, a deal that might be tempting considering Dembele ’s recent run of excellent form. Since earning a place back in the Barcelona side, he has scored two goals and notched 11 assists in all competitions.
He was at the heart of things for Xavi’s men yet again at the weekend as he set up Aubameyang for an equaliser in Barcelona’s eventual 3-2 victory against Levante. It is certainly not the first time that the pair have combined this season - or indeed in the past - with them having shared the pitch with both Borussia Dortmund and the Catalan giants.
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With Dembele’s future up in the air, Aubameyang was forthright in his opinion of what the Frenchman should do ahead of next season. Speaking after the weekend’s slender victory, he said: “He [Dembele] has to stay.”
Aubameyang is not the only person of a Barcelona persuasion to praise Dembele recently. Manager Xavi has hailed the attitude of the Frenchman over recent weeks amid suggestions that the Catalan giants were attempting to convince him to pen an extended contract.
Talking before the win against Levante, the former midfielder said: “I have said several times, since November until now, what I have seen from Dembele is professionalism. He is a difference-maker, trains well, follows the rules and is loved by his teammates. I notices that he is positive and there is nothing to complain about, he gives us a lot and helps us defensively as well.”
