Barcelona coach Xavi says he won't freeze out contract rebel Ousmane Dembele.

Xavi reaffirmed on Saturday that the controversy surrounding Dembele's future in January is now over and he is very much in his plans.

Dembele, 24, is out of contract in the summer and has not yet agreed a new deal, which led to the club telling him to leave last month, but he stayed in the end.

"With Dembele, I have already said that the idea was to bring him on against Atletico Madrid, but the red card forced another change and we couldn't do it in the end," Xavi said Saturday.

"He's part of the team and I am sure he will help us. The issue is closed. I will decide when he does or does not participate."