FC Barcelona Get To Work On Frenkie De Jong Contract Renewal: Reports

FC Barcelona are already getting to work on a contract renewal for their midfielder Frenkie De Jong, who should reduce his salary and commit the peak of his career to the Catalans according to SPORT.

The Dutchman’s current deal expires in 2026, after he settled on a similar arrangement on the watch of previous president Josep Bartomeu during the pandemic.

In 2019/2020, the playmaker who joined from Ajax the season before earned €3 million ($3.2 million) which rose to €9 million ($9.7 million) in 2020-21 according to MARCA.

These figures are far from the €14 million ($15.1 million) a year De Jong was meant to earn as per his contract. This season, he was reported by the same outlet as being set to earn €18 million ($19.4 million) plus a €2.88m ($3.11 million) loyalty bonus.

Next term, De Jong is tipped to take home €18 million ($19.4 million) plus a €9.7 million ($10.5 million) loyalty bonus which is out of touch with Barca’s debt-ridden economic reality.

Thankfully, though, according to SPORT‘s latest report, De Jong’s commitment to the Blaugrana cause is “total” meaning he should agree to adjust his salary and extend beyond 2026.

De Jong has come a long way since last summer, which is when Barca tried to sell him and even accepted an €85 million ($92 million) offer from Manchester United for his services in mid-July according to The Athletic.

Rather than up sticks with just the 2020/2021 Copa del Rey to his name in Catalonia, a then-benched De Jong got to work to improve his lot and is now considered an “untouchable” in Xavi Hernandez’s plans.

These days a guaranteed starter alongside the likes of Gavi and Pedri, he has just lifted a first La Liga title in four years with the youngsters and will be expected to become a leader in the center of the park when Sergio Busquets departs at the end of June.

As is the case with agreed renewals for leading stars including Ronald Araujo and Gavi, any fresh commitment De Jong makes will have to fall in line with Financial Fair Play limits that are proving a sticking point for director of football Mateu Alemany.