Barça still has an unsolved issue in this transfer market: Frenkie de Jong's contract renewal. The Dutchman has a contract until 2026 (2026) and although everything seemed set to be finalized soon, the truth is that the signing hasn't happened yet. The club considers keeping him a priority, since he is one of the pillars of Hansi Flick's project, but the situation remains stalled.
De Jong has always shown his commitment to Barça and hasn't wanted to listen to offers from other teams, even though the international market is watching him closely. However, this delay in the renewal is causing some unease among the board and the fans, who were expecting an official confirmation before the transfer window closed.
Legal problems with his former agent
One of the keys to understanding this delay lies in the legal aspect. De Jong is still waiting to definitively break ties with his previous agent. Until that process is formally completed, he can't legally negotiate a new contract with another representative.
Meanwhile, Barça is aware of the situation and has chosen to be patient, trusting that the matter can be solved in the coming weeks. Nevertheless, time is ticking and the board knows that the longer it takes, the more speculation will grow about his future.
De Jong's doubts about his role
Beyond the legal issues, El Nacional points out that there are also sporting factors that concern Frenkie and have contributed to the delay. The first has to do with his long-term role in the team. Although he is currently an undisputed starter alongside Pedri in the double pivot, the Dutchman fears that he could lose prominence in the near future.
Gavi's level and the emergence of Marc Bernal, who is recovering after a year out, open up a new scenario in midfield. The club fully trusts Bernal as the reference pivot for the future and, with so much emerging talent, De Jong wonders if his role will remain as decisive.
Economic and project doubts
The second factor weighing on his decision is the club's financial situation. Frenkie wants to be certain that Barça will be able to remain competitive in Europe and that it will have the capacity to sign top-level players. The crisis of recent seasons and the limitations of Fair Play are creating uncertainty about the club's ability to strengthen the squad.
Ultimately, De Jong's future at Barça remains unsolved. Although the Dutch player's and the club's intention is to continue together, the combination of legal problems, sporting doubts, and Barça's financial situation is delaying a signing that seemed imminent. Barça needs to solve this issue as soon as possible to ensure that one of its key pieces continues to be the engine of its midfield.