Ousmane Dembele ‘fined £90,000 by Barcelona for turning up late to training’ as discipline problems continue
Nou Camp coach Ernest Valverde said to be 'very very angry' with the Arsenal target after France star's latest faux pas
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BARCELONA have fined Ousmane Dembele £90,000 for turning up two hours' late to training as the Frenchman's disciplinary problems continue, reports in Spain say.
Nou Camp boss Ernest Valverde was described as "very very angry" over the latest problem for Arsenal target Dembele.
But Barca are trying to keep the situation calm as the France attacker has hit form just when his future seemed unsettled.
Dembele has previously arrived late for a match, skipped a team meeting and missed a training session.
But Spanish sports newspaper AS believe the La Liga leaders are anxious to keep the 21-year-old in the fold, rather than isolate him from the squad
The former Borussia Dortmund superstar has overcome a modest start to the campaign to hit eight goals in 19 games so far.
He highlighted his improved form with a scoring display in Saturday's 4-0 La Liga defeat of City rivals Espanyol.
And Valverde has included the ex-Rennes ace in tonight's squad for the home Champions League group finale with Tottenham.
Dembele's stature with his Barca team-mates has grown in recent weeks.
Senior players Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba even joked with him after his 100k Euros fine for being late at Sunday's training.
And Barcelona themselves are said to feel "the player's level is excellent at the moment".
AS also report the club as insisting: "Separating him from the group or punishing him by not playing him would harm the team considering the performances he has shown over the last few matches".
Lionel Messi publicly backed Dembele after his weekend display.
the Argentinian legend, 33, said: "We are happy for Dembele. Today he has scored again.
"He is animated and will do very well. We need Dembele."
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