Barcelona superstar receives new deal proposal, club keen on extending player's contract before 2025 - Reports
Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has reportedly received a contract renewal offer from the Catalonian giants. The Dutch midfielder's current deal with La Blaugrana will expire in 2026 and Barca reportedly want to secure De Jong's future before entering the new year.
According to SPORT, Barca have had the proposal on De Jong's table since many months, but the parties have not yet reached an agreement. They would like him to agree to the deal before 2025, so he does not enter the final year of his current contract.
De Jong recently made a return to fitness after a long-term ankle injury.
The reason behind the player stalling to sign the extension is uncertain, but the report claims it might have to do with the club owing the player. De Jong agreed to lower his pay temporarily, due to the Covid pandemic affecting Barca's finances, and the plan was to pay him his dues later on.
However, Barcelona remain under economic strain and are looking to include his deferred payments in the new contract. According to the report, De Jong and his entourage are yet to respond to Barca's offer.
Barca will do their best to ensure they can complete the new deal before the summer of 2025, as he would then have a year left on his contract. This would make him a cheaper option for other interested clubs, with giants Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, and Paris Saint-Germain on the prowl.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick explains decision to sub off Lamine Yamal in Young Boys clash
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has explained his decision to take Lamine Yamal off the pitch during their 5-0 win over Swiss side Young Boys. The sides clashed in the UEFA Champions League at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on October 1.
With just 15 minutes of normal time left to play, Flick decided to take Yamal off, but the teenager was visibly unhappy about this. Flick explained his reason for the substitution to the press (via GOAL):
"We have to start the games stronger, with our passes, and improve the team's dynamic a little. It has improved as the minutes have passed. We don't have just one player, but several. There may be changes. We cannot take into account whether a player wants to continue playing or not."
After their win in the Champions League, Barcelona will face Deportivo Alavés in La Liga on October 6, away from home.