Barcelona is bracing for a potential repeat of the Ousmane Dembélé saga, with concerns mounting over another star player’s refusal to extend his contract. Despite management efforts led by Joan Laporta and Deco, the player is rejecting all extension offers, fueling speculation about his future.
The situation mirrors what transpired with Dembélé, who, at 27, left Barcelona under controversial circumstances. After months of contract negotiations, Dembélé declined to renew his deal, opting instead to activate a release clause worth only €50 million.
This facilitated his move to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), where he received a lucrative financial package from club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, with coach Luis Enrique also playing a pivotal role in persuading him to leave. The transfer not only stirred controversy but also left Barcelona in a vulnerable position, damaging the team’s stability.
According to reports from the Spanish outlet El Nacional, a similar scenario now looms over Frenkie de Jong. The Dutch midfielder, whose contract runs until 2026, is currently the team’s highest-paid player, earning a substantial salary.
Barcelona’s management had hoped to secure his extension by negotiating a significant pay cut, but De Jong has thus far rejected these proposals outright.
This standoff has sparked fears that De Jong might be engaging in secret negotiations with other clubs and could have already reached a verbal agreement with one.
The prospect of him leaving for free is a nightmare for Barcelona, given that they invested over €85 million to acquire him from Ajax Amsterdam during Josep Maria Bartomeu’s presidency. Losing such a high-profile player without compensation would represent one of the club’s worst financial outcomes.
Meanwhile, PSG, which previously capitalized on Barcelona’s vulnerabilities with transfers like Neymar Jr., Lionel Messi, and Dembélé, is reportedly monitoring De Jong’s situation closely.
The French club is known for offering attractive financial packages, including higher salaries and substantial signing bonuses for free transfers. This would provide De Jong with significant incentives to leave Barcelona, further aggravating the club’s troubles.
Barcelona’s management is now racing against time to prevent a repeat of past mistakes. However, the growing uncertainty surrounding De Jong’s future poses a serious challenge, highlighting the ongoing financial and contractual dilemmas facing the club.
Leave a Reply