Barcelona news: Agent lifts lid on Dembele future as Chelsea and Liverpool linked

The winger has been linked with a move away from the Nou Camp after struggling to settle following his £97million move Borussia Dortmund last summer.

He was not even named on the bench for Sunday’s 4-3 home defeat by Real Betis after failing to report for training.

That prompted reports suggesting he was set to depart and Premier League giants Chelsea and Liverpool are both said to be interested if he becomes available.

Dembele is currently with the French national team as they prepare to face Holland in the UEFA Nations League on Friday and then Uruguay in a friendly next Tuesday.

And his agent, Moussa Sissoko, says his client is staying put and claims Barca manager Ernesto Valverde his keen to keep him despite the recent controversies.

“There is no doubt about his future at all,” he said.

“Ousmane continues to work, he is in a big club and Valverde loves him, and he is also in the national team and (Didier) Deschamps continues to trust him.

“If he is with France today it is because he deserves it, I also spoke with (Barcelona director) Eric Abidal and he told me that he is very happy with him, that he is training very well.”

Dembele has been accused of having an attitude problem after he was reported to have arrived late for the recent Champions League clash with Inter Milan.

However, it has since been revealed that the deadline had been extended and he had, in fact, turned up on time.

And Sissoko thinks the criticism levelled towards the 21-year-old has been over the top.

“All these criticisms make me laugh,” he added.

“It had already begun with a so-called delay at the meeting before the Champions League match against Inter.

“I am surprised that very serious newspapers can take back this information because Ousmane didn’t arrive late.

“His coach has confirmed that the fact that he wasn’t in the starting XI was not due to a delay.”

On missing training he added: “It is true that Ousmane was sick (before Betis).

“He had not slept all night, he was very tired.

“He missed the morning training and what the club has blamed us is that he did not warn a little before that a doctor can see his mismanagement at home.

He did it a little late.

“But he was sick, the club confirmed he had a (gastrointestinal illness), he missed the training because of that.

“And I am surprised that we also make controversy when he is sick.”