Frenkie de Jong's Future at FC Barcelona Remains an Enigma. Although his performance has notably improved under Hansi Flick, his contractual situation puts the club in a bind. With a contract until 2026, the Dutch midfielder still hasn't renewed and, amid the uncertainty, Barça has made a clear decision: if he doesn't sign an extension before summer, he will be sold.
Chelsea and Bayern Munich have long shown interest in signing him. But in recent hours, a new contender has emerged with a concrete offer, setting their sights on Frenkie as their main target to strengthen the midfield.
Laporta Pressures: Renew or Leave
At FC Barcelona, Joan Laporta and Deco have made their stance clear. They won't allow De Jong to leave for free in 2026, as happened with Lionel Messi and Ousmane Dembélé. The blaugrana entity invested 86 million euros in his signing in 2019 and now they want to ensure they receive financial compensation before it's too late.
Moreover, the club's financial situation remains delicate, and a significant sale would help balance the books. Laporta himself doesn't want to force his departure, but if the player shows no signs of wanting to stay, it will be Barça who decides his fate.
Getting Ahead of Chelsea and Bayern
From England, the first interested parties in Frenkie were Chelsea and Liverpool, but both have kept their interest on the back burner. Now, Arsenal has taken the lead with an initial proposal of 40 million euros that could increase with variables.
Arteta has identified De Jong as the perfect replacement for Jorginho, whose contract ends soon. The Gunners seek to strengthen their midfield with a player who provides ball control, dynamism, and experience. And Frenkie fits perfectly into that profile.
On a sporting level, De Jong has regained prominence with Flick. In the current season, he has played 23 matches, scored two goals, and provided one assist. His role has been key in the midfield, especially in recent months, where he has shown to be fully recovered from his physical problems.
However, the midfielder still hasn't made a decision about his future. Although he has never hidden his desire to succeed at Barça, his contract remains unrenewed, fueling speculation about his possible departure.
Laporta Sets a Price
If Frenkie doesn't renew before summer, Barça will put him up for sale. The initial intention was not to let him go for less than 60 million, but market pressure might force them to accept a lower offer. Sources close to the board assure they would be willing to negotiate for a figure close to 45-50 million euros.
Arsenal knows they have an advantage in the negotiations since Frenkie hasn't signed his renewal and Barça doesn't want to risk losing him for free.
The coming weeks will be decisive. If De Jong wants to stay at Barça, he will have to accept a reduced renewal. Otherwise, the club will listen to offers, and everything points to Arsenal being better positioned than anyone to secure his services.
Will this be the end of Frenkie de Jong's era at Barça? Laporta has spoken clearly: renew or leave.