Barcelona boss Xavi said that it would “not be a problem” if Ousmane Dembele stayed at Camp Nou beyond the end of the 2021-22 campaign.

The France international’s contract with the Catalan giants is due to expire at the end of June, and he was strongly linked with a move away from the club in January.

As it stands, Dembele will leave Barcelona on a free transfer at the end of June, but he has recently been brought back into the fold by Xavi, and there have been suggestions that he could now sign a new contract with the club.

The 24-year-old has scored once and provided five assists in nine La Liga appearances this season, including a goal and two assists against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday night.

Xavi has now opened the door to the World Cup winner staying at Barcelona on a long-term basis, just one month after his career at the club had seemingly come to an end.

“It’s not a problem for me if he stays. He works very hard and that’s why I defend him. He’s capable of doing what he has done tonight (Sunday). I see a lot of options of where to play him. He can play on the left, right and score goals and provide key passes,” Xavi told reporters.

Manchester United, Juventus, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain are among the teams said to be interested in signing Dembele on a free transfer.

Napoli midfielder Fabian Ruiz is reportedly keen to join Real Madrid during this summer’s transfer window.

The Spain international’s future has been the subject of much speculation in recent weeks, with Napoli believed to be open to selling him at the end of the 2021-22 campaign.

A number of clubs, including Manchester United, Barcelona, Newcastle United and Arsenal, have been credited with an interest in the midfielder, who has entered the final 18 months of his contract in Naples.

Real Madrid have also been strongly linked with the 25-year-old, and according to Mundo Deportivo, Ruiz wants to move to Los Blancos this summer over any other club.

The report claims that Napoli had initially been demanding €80m (£66.9m) for the Spaniard, but the asking price has now dropped to €50m (£41.8m), which is closer to Real Madrid’s valuation.

Ruiz played under the Spanish club’s head coach Carlo Ancelotti when the Italian was head coach of the Blues, and the 62-year-old is said to be keen for the deal to take place this summer.

The midfielder started his professional career at Real Betis, representing their first team on 60 occasions before moving to Napoli on a five-year contract in July 2018.

Legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has extended his contract with Parma until June 2024.

The 44-year-old re-signed for Parma last summer after leaving Juventus, securing a return to the club where he started his professional career back in 1995.

Buffon’s previous deal was due to expire in June 2023, but he has now committed himself to a further 12 months, meaning that he will be 46 by the time that the new agreement expires.

#Buffon2024 💪🏻🟡🔵#ForzaParma pic.twitter.com/cqNZ0NokmP

— Parma Calcio 1913 (@1913parmacalcio) February 28, 2022

“For me and my family, this is a wonderful day. I hope that the city and all fans will be happy. For me and my family, this is a wonderful day. I hope that the city and all fans will be happy,” Buffon told reporters at a press conference.

“My return to Parma was linked to the relationships and the deep bond I have always had with this city.

“If I hadn’t believed in what the president has in mind and in what we are doing, I would not have accepted this proposal. I am optimistic for the future of this club. It is a beautiful and exciting challenge for me.”

Meanwhile, Parma president Kyle Krause added: “In addition to leadership qualities, he has great human qualities. For Parma, his decision to continue with us is an honour.”

Buffon – capped on 176 occasions by Italy between 1997 and 2018 – has made 23 Serie B appearances during the 2021-22 campaign, conceding 23 times and keeping eight clean sheets in the process.

The goalkeeper recently told TUDN that he wants to play in Mexico or the United States before officially hanging up his gloves.

Interim manager Ralf Rangnick is reportedly unconvinced that Cristiano Ronaldo should have a role at Manchester United next season.

Since returning to the club in August, the Portuguese has contributed 15 goals and three assists from his 29 appearances in the Premier League and Champions League.

However, the 37-year-old has not always made an impact down the middle of the attack, his presence arguably hindering United in certain departments.

According to Manchester Evening News, Rangnick has major reservations about keeping the Portuguese as his frontline striker during 2022-23.

The report suggests that a lack of alternative options is the main reason why Ronaldo has continued to lead the line, with Edinson Cavani spending periods out through injury and Marcus Rashford struggling for form.

While Ronaldo has a contract until 2023, an exit would likely be easy to facilitate should both parties agreed to a parting of the ways in the summer.

Leeds United have announced the appointment of Jesse Marsch as their new head coach, pending international clearance.

The 48-year-old American replaces Marcelo Bielsa, who was relieved of his duties on Sunday morning after nearly four years at Elland Road.

Marsch has put pen to paper on a contract running until June 2025 and will be in charge for Saturday’s Premier League fixture away at Leicester City.

Speaking on his appointment, Marsch said: “One of the things I love about this team right now is their commitment no matter how difficult the games have been, to play to the end, to fight for each other, to never stop, to give everything they have to each other at every moment.

“This mentality, this mindset to play for the fans, to fight for the fans, to fight for each other. This is what I love.

#LUFC can today announce the appointment of Jesse Marsch as our new head coach, pending international clearance

— Leeds United (@LUFC) February 28, 2022

“I just want to help take the torch to the next phase and understand that everything that’s been done, has laid an incredible foundation and coming in at this moment, I just want to try to do everything I can to help take the club into the next phase of our history.

“I think my style of play my aggressiveness, the desire I have for teams to be intensive and to run and to make things difficult for the opponent fits with what has been done here the last three-and-a half-years.

“It will be a big challenge to do it in a short period of time and make sure that we evolve in a way that can be successful for what the future may bring, but do it now.”

In a statement on the club’s official website, Leeds director of football Victor Orta said: “We are delighted to welcome Jesse to the club and excited for him to lead us into this new chapter.

“Jesse is someone we identified a number of years ago during his time at Red Bull Salzburg and we believe his philosophy and style of football aligns with that of the club and will suit the players very well.

“We have a long-term plan and firmly believe he can take Leeds United to the next level and are excited for what the future holds.”

Marsch began his managerial career with MLS side Montreal Impact, before being sounded out by the Red Bull franchise, moving to New York Red Bulls for three years and then winning two Austrian Bundesliga titles with Red Bull Salzburg between 2019 and 2021.

The American was then appointed head coach at German outfit RB Leipzig in July but he was sacked just six months into the role, after winning only seven of his 21 games across all competitions.