Frenkie de Jong and His Future at Barcelona
Frenkie de Jong, the talented midfielder for Barcelona, shared his optimism about finalizing a new contract with the La Liga giants. Having been under discussion since March, De Jong’s existing contract is set to end in just one year. In an interview with Dutch sports outlet Voetbalzone, he remarked:
“I believe I will sign a new contract, although absolute certainty is elusive. If all goes as planned, it should happen. Both the club and I are interested in making it work.”
2024-25 Season Highlights
During the 2024-25 season, De Jong was a pivotal player, featuring in 46 matches as Barcelona captured both the La Liga and Copa del Rey titles. They had a commendable run in the UEFA Champions League, reaching the semi-finals before being narrowly defeated by Inter Milan with a 7-6 aggregate score.
Contract Negotiations
Negotiations for the new contract began earlier this year when Barcelona sent a proposal to De Jong’s representatives to extend his stay starting from early 2024. However, sources within the club indicated that there was no initial response, requesting anonymity to preserve professional rapport.
Impact and Concerns
De Jong was brought to Barcelona from Ajax in 2019 for a significant fee of £86 million (approximately $116.4 million), solidifying his role as a key figure in the team’s midfield. Yet, his lucrative contract has become a topic of concern for the club amid ongoing financial challenges.
In the summer of 2022, Manchester United made a move to sign De Jong for a reported fee of €75 million (roughly £63 million or $75 million), but the transfer ultimately did not go through. De Jong later took issue with local media reports suggesting he was earning “€40 million,” stating they fabricated the narrative surrounding his situation at Barcelona.
Injury and Recovery
After facing a lengthy recovery from an ankle injury that sidelined him for over six months in April 2024, De Jong expressed doubts about a full recovery. He reflected upon his return:
“I wasn’t sure if I’d return to my previous level of play,”
emphasizing the uncertainty surrounding his condition.
Career Stats
To date, De Jong has made an impressive total of 259 appearances for Barcelona, contributing 19 goals and 23 assists to the team’s efforts on the field.
