Joan Laporta is clear about the next step for FC Barcelona after having managed to return to the 1:1 rule. The president intends to get rid of the highest salary currently on the team: Frenkie de Jong's. His contract ends on June 30, 2026, and the plan is clear: sell him before he can leave for zero euros.
At the moment, Barça can already spend every euro it earns, something it couldn't do before, being in a very unfavorable condition. Not only that: besides being able to spend every euro it earns, it can also use the salary freed up by its players. In De Jong's case, it would be a very favorable operation economically.
Laporta knows perfectly well that he won't be able to get the 80 million he could have sold him for years ago, but the reality is that every euro counts. Madrid-Barcelona has learned that he would be open to selling him for an amount close to 30 million euros which, added to his salary, would mean a great economic relief.
However, what Laporta doesn't want is to get rid of De Jong and be left with no one in his place. Barça's president knows who should be his replacement. He plays in LaLiga and has already demonstrated his Barcelona spirit on several occasions: Álex Baena.
Goodbye to De Jong: Laporta Negotiates His Sale and Already Has His Replacement Ready in LaLiga, Álex Baena
If De Jong ends up leaving, what Barça would do is clear: go all out for Álex Baena. He has a release clause valued at 60 million euros and Joan Laporta would be willing to pay it if the Dutchman ends up leaving.
Recently, Álex Baena spoke clearly about his future. He began by saying: "I've always said, and I will always say that to leave Villarreal, it would have to be for a better team... And a better team than Villarreal would be a 'top 10' in the world". He later pointed out: "I've always said that Villarreal is the club of my life and that I'm happy here. If that opportunity ever comes, we'll look at everything for the good of both".
"I try not to look, they always send me things or they come to me, but nothing. I'm focused on finishing the season at Villarreal, and on staying here, which is where I'm best and happiest. In the end, things keep coming, and you're always focused on your own and what you can do now", concluded Álex Baena.
Hansi Flick is informed of the conditions for Álex Baena's departure and maintains his interest. It's a possibility that is very appealing at Can Barça, especially if De Jong leaves.