Barcelona coach Xavi remains key in new contract talks with Ousmane Dembele.

Sport says Barca have made him a contract renewal offer and are waiting for his answer. His deal expires on June 30 and Barcelona want a response.

The French forward will return from holiday and may meet Xavi, with whom he has spoken in recent weeks, reiterating that he wants to stay at Camp Nou, albeit on a better deal than the one he has been offered.

But it's a proposal that the club say they will not improve.

The coach could be important in the resolution of the case. Xavi likes Dembele a lot and wants him to stay. If the French forward stays then there is no need for Barcelona to invest in a replacement and they can use the money elsewhere.

Xavi might ask for the club to make one more effort and improve the offer, while Dembele doesn't seem to have many better options on the table either financially, although sign on fees are bigger elsewhere. Xavi might ask the club to raise their salary a little while asking Dembele to forgo the sign on fee.