Barcelona’s hierarchy is deeply concerned about the future of one of their top midfielders, Frenkie de Jong, who appears to be hinting that he might be inclined to leave the club when his contract expires in 2026. Despite being one of the top players at the club, De Jong has struggled to make a consistent impact on the pitch. His performances have been inconsistent, and he has failed to live up to the expectations that came with his high-profile transfer from Ajax in 2019.
De Jong’s situation at Barcelona, however, is complicated by his refusal to commit to the latest contract offer presented by the club. This has led many to speculate that he is using this as a tactic to secure a better deal or even leave the club on a free transfer. The 27-year-old Dutch midfielder has played 30 games for Barcelona since the start of the season, but he has only started twice, with manager Hansi Flick reportedly refusing to lose faith in him.
Flick believes that De Jong has the potential to fit seamlessly into his style of play and is confident that the midfielder will return to his best form. Despite this, De Jong’s disappointing performances have not gone unnoticed, and his inconsistent playing time has left many questioning his commitment to the club. In an interview with Ziggo Sport in 2022, De Jong acknowledged that his playing minutes might get diminished, and he would have to work hard to regain his starting spot.
“I knew I would have less playing time,” De Jong said. “I have to make sure I start from scratch. I didn’t start against Bayern, and I want to start against Real Madrid. I feel good physically. I have to work hard to start at the Bernabeu.” These statements, while seemingly enthusiastic, may be interpreted as a commentary on his current situation rather than as a promise of commitment to his current team.
The situation is all the more complicated by De Jong’s contract situation. With his contract set to expire in 2026, Barcelona will have to assess De Jong’s value to the team and decide whether to retain him or cash in on his potential. If De Jong were to leave the club, Barcelona would likely face a significant financial loss, given the extent of his current salary and the potential value of his services on the open market.
For now, the speculation surrounding De Jong’s future continues to dominate the headlines, with fans eagerly awaiting the outcome of this unfolding drama. One thing is certain: De Jong’s future at Barcelona remains uncertain, and the club’s hierarchy is under pressure to make a decision about the midfielder’s future before it’s too late. With so much at stake, the outcome of this saga promises to be one of the most intriguing transfer stories in recent memory.
