OUSMANE DEMBELE won’t play in LaLiga again this season despite the striker nearing a return to fitness and Barcelona are not even bothering to test him for coronavirus.
The French winger, 22, picked up a serious muscle injury in early February which is set to rule him out until the summer.
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Ousmane Dembele will not feature in LaLiga again this season after being de-listed by BarcelonaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Barcelona made an emergency signing outside of the transfer window to land Martin Braithwaite from Leganes.
And as a result, that meant Dembele was taken out of the Barcelona league squad for the rest of the campaign because he was expected to be out.
But with the season now likely to go into July, there is a chance Dembele would have been fit to return.
However, according to Cadena Ser, he will not be allowed to play in the league until 2020/21 when he can be re-registered.
Ironically, though, Dembele is still part of the Champions League squad listed on Uefa’s website and could therefore play a part in the knockout stages, which are pencilled in for August.
On top of that, because he has been scrapped from the league squad, Dembele is not included in the club’s Covid-19 testing.
The players headed back to the training complex and were tested on Wednesday ahead of a return to individual sessions on the pitches.
But it remains uncertain what Dembele is able to do.
He may have to pay for his own private coronavirus test and it is unclear if he will head to the training ground as he continues his recovery.
And the lack of action and persistent injury problems could even spell the end of Dembele’s time at the Nou Camp.
He arrived from Borussia Dortmund in 2017 as part of a deal worth £138million but things have not quite worked out as planned for him.
The Frenchman has not played a match since November 27 and managed 19 goals in 74 Barcelona appearances including one in nine this term.
However, the problem this summer could be finding someone to stump up the cash.
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His injury record and poor form could put off any potential suitors such as Arsenal, who were understood to be interested in making a move.
There is still no set date for when LaLiga will resume its season, although an early June date is being targeted in order to complete the campaign by the end of July.
Barcelona sit top of the table, two points clear of rivals Real Madrid with 11 games remaining.
Lionel Messi and his team-mates returned to the training ground on Wednesday were tested for coronavirusCredit: Reuters
Ousmane Dembele show his skills and scores amazing goal in Barcelona training
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
