Barcelona and Frenkie de Jong have yet to reach an agreement on a contract extension, raising concerns that the club may eventually be forced to sell the Dutch midfielder. De Jong, whose current deal runs until 2026, has been a long-standing target for Manchester United, but a transfer has not materialized thus far. Should Barcelona fail to secure his long-term commitment, there is a possibility of a move as early as the summer of 2025.
Although de Jong has two more years left on his contract, Barcelona is keen to extend his stay and is actively pursuing negotiations. According to reports from the Spanish publication SPORT, de Jong has not yet responded to Barcelona’s latest offer. If he chooses to decline it, the club is considering selling him next summer. This would be a significant decision for the Catalan giants, especially given de Jong’s importance to the team.
Another key player facing a similar situation is Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo. Like de Jong, Araujo’s contract is set to expire in 2026, and talks over a renewal have yet to yield a positive outcome. Araujo has also been linked with a potential transfer to Manchester United, leaving Barcelona with uncertainty over the futures of two key players.
The potential failure to secure contract extensions for both de Jong and Araujo could force Barcelona to make difficult choices regarding their transfer strategy in the near future. As the club navigates these uncertainties, their priority has shifted to ensuring the futures of young midfielders Pedri and Gavi. Both players are seen as crucial to Barcelona’s plans and are reportedly fully committed to staying with the club. In the event de Jong decides against renewing his contract, it is speculated that Pedri and Gavi could take on more prominent roles in the team, potentially diminishing de Jong’s position.
Meanwhile, de Jong continues to attract interest from several high-profile clubs, including Manchester United, Chelsea, and Paris Saint-Germain. Over the summer, there were persistent rumors linking him with a reunion with Erik ten Hag at Manchester United, a manager de Jong previously worked with during his time at Ajax. Despite this, de Jong has consistently expressed his happiness at Barcelona, stating in interviews that he and his family are content in the city.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has also spoken on the matter, emphasizing that de Jong’s departure would be a significant loss for the club. Laporta noted that de Jong has repeatedly expressed his desire to remain at Barcelona, but acknowledged that the club cannot stop a player from leaving if that is their wish.
Ultimately, de Jong’s decision regarding his future will have major implications not only for Barcelona’s plans but also for the broader European transfer market. Whether he stays or moves, his next steps will be closely watched.