Barcelona wants to make Frenkie de Jong a pillar for Hansi Flick, but the player is considering other options
Barcelona are determined to secure Frenkie de Jong’s long-term future, with Hansi Flick viewing the Dutch midfielder as a central piece of his new project. However, the 28-year-old has yet to agree to a contract extension and is considering his options.
Contract situation raises alarm
De Jong’s current deal runs until July 2026, but Barça fear history could repeat itself with another key player leaving for free. From January 2026, the midfielder will be able to sign a pre-contract with any club, creating the risk of a zero-cost departure.
The board sees him as a top priority, but so far negotiations have stalled. According to El Nacional, De Jong is in no rush and prefers to carefully analyze his career options before committing.
Premier League interest grows
Since arriving at Barcelona in 2019 for €86 million, De Jong has been linked with several European giants. Most recently, Arsenal have shown interest, with Mikel Arteta reportedly considering him a valuable addition to his midfield.
While talks remain informal, the Gunners’ interest highlights De Jong’s ongoing market value. Barcelona fear losing him for a cut-price fee or worse, for free.
Financial pressure on Barcelona
The financial risk is significant. De Jong, once valued at €86m, is now estimated at €45m, less than half the initial investment. A departure below market value would add to Barcelona’s financial struggles, especially after years of high transfer spending.
