Frenkie de Jong nears agreement with Barcelona over new contract

Frenkie de Jong is close to agreeing a contract renewal that would keep him at Barcelona until 2029.

The 28-year-old Netherlands midfielder has less than a year remaining on his existing deal after a change of representation hampered long-running efforts to negotiate fresh terms.

De Jong is among Barcelona’s highest earners and his salary is understood to have been a key sticking point, particularly after a portion his wages were deferred from previous seasons in an attempt by the club to mitigate the financial impact of the global pandemic.

But De Jong, who recently appointed fellow countryman Sébastien Ledure as his agent after parting ways with long-term representative Ali Dursun, has reportedly agreed to stay at the club beyond next summer on reduced terms.

Barcelona president on Frenkie de Jong: ‘We expect good news soon’

“The renewal with De Jong is being worked on,” Barcelona president Joan Laporta told the Catalan radio station RAC1. “De Jong has done an extraordinary job. We said we didn’t want any player whose contract expires this year, but we made an exception for De Jong because he changed agents. 

“He’s motivated; he even says he’s sleeping despite having recently become a father. We expect good news soon.”

The conclusion of a saga that dates back to the beginning of last year, when Barcelona first put forward an extension proposal to De Jong, is likely to be well received in the dressing room. 

Frenkie de Jong’s influential partnership with Pedri

Fellow midfielders Gavi and Marc Casadó are among those who have expressed admiration for the Dutchman, whose partnership with Pedri was instrumental to Barcelona’s success last season as the club won a domestic treble of La Liga, Copa del Rey and Supercopa de España. Hansi Flick, the Barcelona manager, hailed the influential pairing following the club’s 2-1 win at Newcastle last week.

“When Pedri and Frenkie are together, it’s not very easy to press us,” said Flick.

Laporta’s remarks follow a similar expression of confidence over De Jong’s future by Deco, Barcelona’s sporting director, in an interview with the Brazilian sports publication Lance last week.

What De Jong said about his Barcelona stay

“Regarding Frenkie, we’re in talks,” said Deco. “I think we’ll reach an agreement. He’s an important player for us. I think he’s happy at Barcelona; we’re happy with him, too. So I don’t think there will be any problems.”

De Jong was the subject of a £63m bid from Manchester United three summers ago amid speculation that he was unsettled at Camp Nou. The midfielder later hit out at such speculation, however, criticising the Catalan media’s portrayal of his position.

“You’re talking a lot about my contract, my salary, that I’m getting €40m,” said De Jong. “It’s a lot of smoke and mirrors. They’ve made up a story. I’m very happy at Barca, it’s the club of my dreams and I hope to continue playing here for many years.”

It would appear the midfielder’s wish will soon be granted.