Frenkie de Jong’s future at Barcelona has been uncertain for a while because the Dutchman doesn’t seem eager to sign a new contract. This season, for the first time, his starting position is truly in jeopardy, and the Blaugrana are happy to let him go because of his contract status.
According to Sport, Barcelona has since retracted the contract offer that De Jong had on the table for the majority of this year. They believe that since his position on the team has changed, it is only fitting that negotiations for a new contract begin anew. It should be mentioned that even though his salary is not €35 million gross every season, it would cost about that to retain him the following season.
Barcelona will therefore list de Jong for sale and would be happy to accept as little as €20 million for him come summertime. They will try to transfer the midfielder on unless he expresses a desire to extend his contract at a significantly reduced cost. Given Marc Casado’s form and Marc Bernal’s injured comeback the following season, there is no assurance that he will advance in the hierarchy.
Barcelona looking to sell star midfielder amid contract standoff
In September, Deco, the sports director of Barcelona, snubbed rumors that De Jong may leave, saying, “He has a contract with Barca, and we are very happy with him.” SPORT’s most recent report, however, asserts that the club’s dependence on De Jong has decreased due to the outstanding performance of academy graduate Marc Casado this season.
In recent months, de Jong has undoubtedly been under criticism from big Catalan publications, and this could be another step in that regard. There’s no denying, though, that it would be shocking if the 27-year-old de Jong were not to leave Barcelona sooner rather than later if he is not to start.
