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Pep Segura: 'Ousmane Dembele has needed time to adapt at Barcelona'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 16 November 2018

Barcelona chief Pep Segura insists that "there is no problem" with Ousmane Dembele, amid reports that the French forward is close to leaving Camp Nou.

Barcelona general manager Pep Segura has denied suggestions that Ousmane Dembele could be on his way out of the club, insisting that the French forward's struggles are entirely understandable.

Dembele has scored just once for the Spanish champions since September 18 and is no longer a regular pick in the forward line, despite the recent absence of Lionel Messi.

The 21-year-old has emerged as a rumoured January target for Premier League rivals Arsenal and Liverpool, with reports in Spain suggesting that poor punctuality is to blame for his lack of starts over the past two months.

Segura paints a different picture, though, claiming that Dembele has instead needed time to adapt to life at a new club, having spent the majority of his maiden campaign at Camp Nou out injured.

"There is no problem with Dembele, he is young and he has never had to make the effort that he is doing at the moment to adapt to Barcelona's play," he is quoted as saying by Marca.

"He has recognised this himself but we are working to change the situation as soon as possible. We did have a meeting, and I also met up with three other representatives but this is normal it is part of my work and and it is normal."

Dembele has scored one goal in his last eight outings for Barca, following a previous run of five goals in six games to start the season.