"It is not true that I earn €37 million" – Frenkie de Jong hits back at reports as Barcelona star breaks silence on injury issues
Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has dismissed reports he is earning close to €37 million-per-season as salary at his current club.
De Jong, 27, has been a topic of discussion due to his current contract situation for the past couple of years. He is allegedly the Blaugrana's highest-paid star now and is currently recovering from an ankle injury.
Speaking recently to club media, De Jong opened up on his recovery process from his right ankle injury and addressed the recent speculation about his treatment. He said:
"Throughout my recovery, I have chosen to stay silent. It is not true that the club told me I had to have an operation, and I didn't want one. Because everyone at the club, the doctors and myself all agreed that surgery was not the best option. It has been very frustrating for a player who lives and breathes football to be out of action for another lengthy period."
Opining on the rumours surrounding his wages, De Jong elaborated:
"It is not true that I earn €37 million. That's a very big figure and is a long way off what I really earn."
Sharing more thoughts on his injury, the Barcelona superstar added:
"Having three injuries to the same ankle caused me a bit of mental trauma. But I am gradually regaining my confidence to kick the ball hard and go strong into tackles. From the outside, the team looks full of energy and quality. I am really keen to be part of that and offer my very best."
De Jong, who injured his ankle in a 3-2 La Liga defeat away at Real Madrid earlier this April, has helped Barcelona lift three trophies. He has registered 17 goals and 21 assists in 217 overall matches for them.
Barcelona not in talks to 20-year-old striker
In his Daily Briefing column for Caught Offside, reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano rubbished claims that Barcelona are mulling a move to sign Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran. He said (h/t Football365):
"Barca are not actively working on a deal for Jhon Duran now, absolutely. All the rest is speculation. We will see in summer 2025."
Duran, 20, has opened the ongoing 2024-25 campaign on a brilliant note. He has bagged four goals in five substitute appearances in the Premier League, featuring in just 131 minutes of first-team action.
Since leaving Chicago Fire for an initial sum of £14 million in January 2023, Duran has scored 13 goals in 56 total appearances for Aston Villa.