"There are no negotiations with United for Dembélé"

Barcelona's director of sport, Ramon Planes, stated at the press conference for Sergiño Dest's presentation that "there are no negotiations with Manchester United over Ousmane Dembélé" after some media outlets had reported that the French player's exit to the English team was very close to being confirmed.

In addition, he recognized that they will have to "reinforce the defence due to Samuel Umtiti's injury" and that they will have to "fight to bring in a player" in the four days that remain of the transfer market. But he pointed out that "Barcelona will not sign for the sake of it and soon the markets will open again".

Planes also referred to the departure of another of the team's defenders, Jean-Clair Todibo, who reported that "there are more than one or two European clubs interested in signing him" and that "the player may end up accepting one of those offers".

Asked about Riqui Puig's decision to stay at Barcelona after Ronald Koeman's statements warning him that he will have difficulty getting minutes this season, Planes said that he finds "Riqui Puig's decision to fight to play for the club where he has been trained very commendable, even though he knows it will be complicated as it is for all young players. In the season there will be minutes for everyone".