Barcelona sporting director Mateu Alemany has said that Ousmane Dembele must "leave the club as soon as possible", having continually rejected the chance to sign a new contract.

The France international's deal at Camp Nou is due to expire at the end of June, and Juventus and Manchester United are both said to be competing for his signature on a free transfer.

Barcelona boss Xavi recently said that the World Cup winner would be sold in January if he did not sign a new deal with the Catalan giants.

Alemany has revealed that the La Liga outfit have now told Dembele to secure a move away from the club during the winter transfer window, as he is "not committed to the project".

"We understand Dembele's decision is to not continue and we've communicated our decision," Alemany told reporters. "We want players that are committed to the club and we have told him he has to leave the club as soon as possible.

"We started talks in July. We have made several offers, which were all rejected. He has been told that he must leave the club, he is not committed to the project."

The 24-year-old has been dropped from the Barcelona squad for Thursday's Copa del Rey last-16 clash with Athletic Bilbao and has seemingly played his last game for the club. body check tags ::