BREAKING: Hansi Flick has requested that one of the team’s key players depart in January for the benefit of Barcelona, but the player is unwilling to leave due to his high salary and is determined to remain!

Hansi Flick has been forthright with a Barcelona player, urging him to begin seeking a new team for the upcoming season, potentially even during the January transfer window.

The arrival of players like Dani Olmo and Pau Victor has disrupted prior plans, leading to potential changes in the team’s structure.

According to reports from the Spanish outlet El Nacional, the German coach has grown frustrated with Frenkie de Jong, the Dutch midfielder. Despite multiple chances to prove his worth, de Jong has failed to demonstrate he can remain a pivotal figure in Flick’s plans. His lackluster performance in Barcelona’s King’s Cup match against Barbastro, where he played a full 90 minutes, highlighted his current struggles.

De Jong delivered a subdued and ineffective display, barely impacting the game, which revealed his dip in form and confidence. His inability to elevate the team’s performance suggests he is not ready to compete with teammates like Gavi, Marc Casado, or Pedri Gonzalez for a starting spot.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has reportedly been attempting to part ways with de Jong for some time. A transfer deal with Manchester United was nearly finalized two years ago but was blocked by then-coach Xavi Hernandez at the last moment. However, the situation has since grown more complicated.

De Jong’s market value continues to decline, and his high salary—one of the steepest in the dressing room alongside Robert Lewandowski’s—presents a significant obstacle for potential suitors. Moreover, the midfielder has shown little interest in discussing his future, leaving Barcelona with limited options.

The club is now seeking financial relief, hoping to secure between €50 million and €60 million from a transfer while eliminating de Jong’s substantial wages from their payroll. However, de Jong’s contract, which runs until 2026, places the power firmly in his hands. If he opts to stay, Barcelona risks losing him on a free transfer in 2026.

For this reason, Flick and the club’s management have directly urged de Jong to leave at the earliest opportunity, emphasizing the financial and strategic necessity for the club. Barcelona cannot afford to let the situation drag on without compensation and sees his departure as essential to their long-term plans.