Barcelona have one card to play in Frenkie de Jong contract negotiations | OneFootball

Barcelona are in the process of trying to renew a number of key players, including Pedri, Gavi, Ronald Araujo, and at the bottom of that list is Frenkie de Jong. The Dutchman’s contract renewal continues to be the one that generates the most doubt within the club, as per RAC1.

Their information is that while relations have improved with de Jong, there is still no certainty over his contract situation, which expires in 2026. If Barcelona cannot secure a contract renewal, they will try to sell him next summer, but the suspicion remains that he may try to leave the club on a free. His camp have not forgotten Barcelona’s efforts to force him out.

De Jong has had a contract offer on the table for months, but is yet to respond, an offer the club believe is good and reflects his status, albeit involving a large wage cut. There is one threat they could make to try and prevent de Jong from leaving for free though, and that is to bench him for the final year of his deal. That might be a risk de Jong is willing to take, but it would mean going into the 2026 World Cup a long way off his best with the Netherlands, even if Ronald Koeman called him up.

They believe that while his agents are maintaining conversations over his future, without discussing numbers, the continue delaying of talks is inentional.

Reports earlier this week had noted that de Jong’s agents had communicated to Barcelona his intention to remain in Catalonia, but if that is to transpire, Barcelona will be slashing his wages from one of the best-paid in Spain. As things stand, there is no guarantee that de Jong finishes the season as a starter for Hansi Flick, with Marc Casado and Pedri performing, and Gavi back in the fold now too.