Barcelona faces a summer marked by economic urgency and the limitations of financial fair play. Joan Laporta and Deco are working tirelessly to balance the books and keep the squad competitive. One of the biggest headaches is Frenkie de Jong's contract renewal, which has become a serious problem.
The Dutch midfielder is one of the most highly valued players by Hansi Flick, who considers him indispensable. His presence in the double pivot is key to the team's balance, both in defense and attack. However, the legacy of contracts signed in previous periods has turned his salary into a burden that's difficult to bear.
A contract with out-of-market figures
De Jong currently earns €23.2 million ($23.2 million) fixed per season, an exorbitant figure for Barça's context. This amount is explained by the salary deferrals he accepted during the pandemic, when he barely received €3 million ($3 million). The agreement signed at that time included a progressive recovery of the deferred amount, reaching the current figures.
The problem for the board is that these amounts are unaffordable in the current economic situation. The wage bill is already sky-high and compromises the registration of new signings, as well as limiting future operations. Frenkie understands the club's position, but he's not willing to give up everything that was agreed upon.
At Barça, they believe that keeping these figures would mean mortgaging the sports planning for the coming years. Not even footballers with more media prominence, such as Lamine Yamal or Pedri, reach those numbers in their contracts. For this reason, the offices have conveyed the urgent need to renegotiate.
The player's stance
De Jong himself, in private conversations, has admitted that his current salary is far above normal. He acknowledges that the pandemic situation caused an imbalance and that the solution was to extend payments that now seem disproportionate. For this reason, he'd be willing to accept a pay cut in order to help the club.
However, that pay cut doesn't come close to what the sporting management and Laporta's board expect. The Dutchman proposes to go from the current €23.2 million ($23.2 million) to about €17 million ($17 million) fixed plus variable bonuses. It's a reduction, yes, but still insufficient for the adjustment Barça needs for the season.
The club believes that the figure can't exceed €12 or €13 million ($12 or $13 million) net including incentives, to bring his salary in line with other key players. Exceeding that threshold would continue to create an imbalance that has already caused internal tensions within the squad.
A negotiation that will shape the future
Frenkie de Jong's case has become a symbol of the fight to clean up the club's finances. Keeping his talent is a priority for Flick, but at the same time, they can't keep paying unsustainable salaries. Every decision made with him will set the path for future renewals, such as those of Ronald Araújo or Lamine Yamal.
The negotiation remains open and both parties are seeking a solution that benefits the player and the club. De Jong's willingness to lower his salary is viewed positively, although a meeting point hasn't been reached yet. Time is running out, because Barça needs to close its accounts before the transfer window closes.
The most likely scenario is that Frenkie will accept a pay cut to go from €23.2 million ($23.2 million) to €17 million ($17 million) per year. However, Barça believes that amount is still unaffordable and is pushing to bring it down to around €12-13 million ($12-13 million). Until there's an agreement, the Dutchman's continuity will remain a tense mystery.