As the contract dispute with Barcelona escalates, Ousmane Dembele has been warned that his career with Barcelona is gone

After contract discussions between the two sides failed to reach an agreement, Barcelona has told Ousmane Dembele to find a new club.

Xavi Hernandez believes the Frenchman has been duped, and the coach issued a last warning to the player on Wednesday in what seemed to be a transfer ultimatum.

In what looks to be a straight replacement for Dembele in the team, the Catalan club has already finalized the acquisition of Ferran Torres from Manchester City this month.

When questioned about Dembele's future last week, Barca manager Xavi Hernandez seemed upbeat, but his attitude has since shifted dramatically.

Dembele has been left out of the team for the Copa del Rey match against Espanyol on Thursday night.

Mateu Alemany, Barcelona's sports director, stated on Thursday that the forward was no longer in the club's plans.

"We understand Dembele's choice to leave the club, and we have expressed our decision," Alemany told reporters (to leave him out of the trip to Bilbao).

“We want players that are committed to the club and we have told him he has to leave the club as soon as possible.” he said

 Dembele is expected to pique the interest of a number of teams, notably those in the Premier League, who may see him as a bargain.

In 2017, Barcelona paid £105 million to sign Dembele from Borussia Dortmund in a deal worth up to £135 million, in a move that has become emblematic of the club's risky recruitment philosophy.

"It's a difficult scenario with Dembele," Xavi told reporters on Wednesday.

"The club has determined that if he does not renew, we must find a solution since they have waited far too long."

"(Sporting director Mateu Alemany) has been chatting with the agents for five months. Either he renews his contract or we find a solution.