Frenkie de Jong's future at FC Barcelona has taken an unexpected turn. Despite his physical problems and a tense relationship with the board, Joan Laporta has privately confirmed that the Dutchman could remain at the club.
However, this twist raises many questions about how his situation will be solved, since the player is not 100% fit and his performance is far from what was expected.
An Injury That Persists
Frenkie de Jong hasn't managed to fully recover from the physical problems he has been dealing with since April 2023. His injury began at Santiago Bernabéu, when he suffered a sprained ankle that left him out of action for several weeks.
This injury was added to previous problems suffered in March, during a match against Athletic Club de Bilbao, which kept him off the field for five weeks. Since his return last October, De Jong hasn't been the same and his participation in matches has been limited.
Tension with the board and pending renewal
De Jong's performances have been a constant talking point at the club. Not only has he been below expectations, but he has also been embroiled in an internal campaign seeking to force his exit. This situation is made worse by his high salary, being one of the highest-paid players after Robert Lewandowski.
The board of directors is apparently not satisfied with his passive attitude toward recovery and his refusal to undergo surgery to solve his physical problems.
Despite medical advice to undergo surgery, De Jong remains firm in his decision to opt for a conservative recovery. Barça's doctors insist that surgery would be ideal to prevent the injury from becoming chronic. However, the midfielder has preferred not to undergo the operation, which has caused internal tensions.
An uncertain future at Barça
The relationship between De Jong and the Barcelona board is at a critical point. Despite the technical secretariat's attempts to solve the situation, the Dutchman seems determined to stay at the club. Barça fear that De Jong wants to leave at the end of the season after not responding to the offer of a renewal.
The situation is complex, as both the player and the club have conflicting interests. De Jong is not willing to leave, but he doesn't want to accept a pay cut either. For its part, the board of directors would look for an exit this summer to avoid the player leaving for free.