Frenkie de Jong, the Dutch midfielder from FC Barcelona, continues to be at the center of controversies related to his future at the club. With a contract until 2026 and a salary that hovers around 25 million euros annually, including fixed and variable components, his performance isn't meeting expectations.
Barcelona seeks to renegotiate his contract to ease financial Fair Play. However, the player hasn't shown any intention to advance in the renewal talks.
Frenkie de Jong has sent a clear message to Barça fans, leaving doubts about his continuity at the club. "People think I want to stay here forever because life outside of soccer is very good, and it is," he declared in Voetbal International. These words have sparked reactions among fans, who criticize his lack of intensity on the field.
Performance below Expectations
Frenkie's time at Barça, which began in 2019, hasn't been as successful as expected. Despite his quality, Frenkie de Jong doesn't hide his frustration with the titles won at Barça.
"I have to admit that when I signed, I didn't imagine I would only win one League, one Copa del Rey, and one Super Cup," he stated. "I expected at least double, so that disappoints me," he stated.
In his five seasons at the club, several obstacles have arisen, such as the ankle injuries he recently suffered. According to him, this was "the most difficult period" of his career. This combination of factors seems to have affected both his performance and his involvement within the team.
Conditions for a Possible Departure
In his statements, Frenkie hinted that his future might be far from Barcelona if certain conditions aren't met. "If I felt that I can't contribute enough, or if the team can't compete, I would leave," he confessed. This raises doubts about his commitment to the blaugrana project and his willingness to reverse the situation.
He also pointed out that any decision will depend on conversations with his agent, Ali Dursun, and his family. Meanwhile, the club has already sent him a renewal proposal, but hasn't received a reply from the player.
Barça's Intentions
From Barça's perspective, renewing De Jong makes strategic sense. By adjusting his salary, financial Fair Play could be better balanced, and the team could be planned for the future. However, there's also the option to sell the player if there are no advances in negotiations, to avoid him leaving for free in 2026.
Coach Hansi Flick also doesn't seem to fully trust him, occasionally keeping him as a substitute. If this trend continues, Frenkie could be on the way out in June.