Frenkie de Jong's Barcelona future in limbo

By SABC Sport
4th June 2024

Frenkie de Jong, the Dutch midfielder of FC Barcelona, could face an uncertain future as rumours of a potential transfer swirl around Camp Nou.

The club's new head coach, Hansi Flick, is said to have identified De Jong as a key player for his plans. However, if a significant offer were to come in, De Jong could be on his way out after five seasons with the Catalan giants.

Reports from SPORT have indicated that Flick, who highly valued De Jong's abilities, was prepared to rely on the former Ajax star. De Jong, who cost Barcelona 75 million euro in January 2019, had been a central figure since his unveiling in front of nearly 20,000 fans at Camp Nou. Known for his vision and versatility, De Jong was considered a strategic signing and now a perfect fit for Flick's playing style.

Despite Flick's confidence in De Jong, Barcelona's precarious financial situation could force the club to sell the midfielder. The priority for the club is to balance the books and adhere to financial fair play regulations. Flick would be aware that selling De Jong could provide much-needed funds, and he is said to be open to the idea if the offer was substantial enough.

If De Jong were to depart, Flick would insist on securing a high-quality replacement to maintain the squad's competitive edge. The coach, known for his preference for a double pivot midfield setup, has reportedly already begun discussions with sporting director Deco about potential candidates to fill the void left by De Jong's possible exit.

De Jong has consistently expressed his desire to stay at Barcelona, despite being linked with moves away in the past. His current contract, which includes a 400 million euro release clause, runs until June 2026.

Since his arrival, De Jong has made 213 appearances, scoring 17 goals and providing 21 assists. He also has picked up 30 yellow cards and two red cards, while helping Barcelona secure the Copa del Rey, Supercopa de Espana, and La Liga titles.

As the summer transfer window approached, the fate of Frenkie de Jong remained a hot topic, with fans and pundits awaiting the next development in this unfolding saga.