At one point this season, it seemed almost certain that Frenkie de Jong played one of his last seasons in Barcelona, with the Dutchman from the grace on the field, and at Loggerheads with the club off. However, Hansi Flick has facilitated a complete U-turn of the situation.
It is only three months since De Jong was whistled by Barcelona fans after a difficult form after five months out of operation, recovering from an ankle problem. At the time it seemed likely that he would end his contract in the club or leave in the summer, with Barcelona promoting a sale.
Yet at the beginning of 2025, Flick de Jong introduced back in the start XI, and now the 27-year-old plays a part of his best football in Barcelona during the six seasons he has been there. After reporting a contract offer for De Jong last week, Sport notes that Flick has convinced him at sports level to stay in the club. He now feels like a starter and sees that he is playing his best football.
“If football were played without fans, he would be the best in the world,” was a meaning of Barcelona's coaching staff, as quoted by Cadena Ser. Now the case will be on economics: Barcelona has accepted that they have to pay all his delayed salary until 2026 and then want to extend his contract, but then fit his wage in their salary scale.
Director of Football Deco has promised to be at the front with De Jong and his agents, after years of transactions through backchans and various attempts to sell him. If they cannot reach a deal with regard to the figures, then Barcelona will still try to sell it this summer, but this is an end that Flick wants to avoid 'at all costs'. Barcelona also told him that they intend to keep him.
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