Barca News Network
·28 December 2024
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Yahoo sportsBarca News Network
·28 December 2024
In addition to the registrations of Dani Olmo and Pau Victor, FC Barcelona will also have to work on the contract renewals of several of their players in the coming few months.
The Catalans are already engaged in negotiations for some of these renewals, but one such operation that has proved to be particularly complicated for them is that of Frenkie de Jong.
The Blaugranes already put an offer on the table for him, but have now rescinded it because of a lack of response, and the future of this renewal is not looking too bright either.
The Dutchman had arrived at Barcelona five and a half years ago with high expectations after he impressed with Ajax. He has remained an important part of the team since that time, but in the last few years, his performances have not entirely been up to the standards expected of him.
His stature at Barcelona has also dropped significantly, which was clearly observable from a recent survey of the Catalan club’s members, most of whom preferred not to renew his contract.
Photo by Rafa Babot/Getty Images
According to Mundo Deportivo, the decision-makers at the Blaugrana club also do not see him as a guaranteed starter or an important player in the squad, but as more of a residual player.
His quality is not doubted, but he has several names in the midfield who are all performing better than him, including Casado, Pedri, Gavi, Fermin Lopez, and Dani Olmo.
In fact, in the game against Atletico Madrid, Flick decided to bring in Eric Garcia for midfield rather than subbing on Frenkie. The Dutchman has not played any minutes in the last two games, and of his 13 appearances since his return from injury, he has started only 2.
For now, Barcelona do not believe he can make a drastic turn in the second half of the season, especially as he is not performing at the level of intensity that Flick’s team demands. Thus, if things do not change, the Blaugranes will put him on the market, and no longer seek to renew his contract.
Frenkie can refuse to leave Barcelona, but the costs for him would be enormous, as he cannot afford to not play regularly only a year before the World Cup is set to take place.