Mathieu Bodmer has jumped to the defence of Barcelona attacker Ousmane Dembele.

Dembele is off contract in June, though there is growing confidence inside Barca that he will agree terms over a new deal.

Former Lille and PSG midfielder Bodmer is close to Dembele and told RMC: "Ousmane is only 24 years old. Yes he was injured, yes he changed his lifestyle, yes he took a cook, physiotherapists ... A lot of things have changed.

"Now he has a weakness, it will resolve itself little by little. He is much more professional, he is now on time for training. He arrived three hours early yesterday (Monday). These are details that are important.

"When he gets hurt at the Euros, it's a real injury, he has a weakness, it is not linked to his lifestyle. I know him and the people who live with him, he doesn't go to bed late. They are legends, such as the fact that he was always outside, Ousmane goes out very little."