Barcelona is facing significant challenges with one of its players, who has become a source of concern in the locker room due to a noticeable decline in performance following recurring injuries, which have negatively impacted the team’s overall level. Furthermore, his attitude and behavior have exacerbated tensions with both the management and coaching staff, prompting the club to search for a swift resolution to the issue.
According to the Spanish newspaper El Nacional, the focus is on Frenkie de Jong, who has been a cause for worry due to multiple factors. His ongoing injury problems led him to miss several matches last season, leaving him far below his usual standard. In addition, his conduct has only worsened his standing, with coach Hansi Flick expressing disappointment over his lack of professionalism. Despite still being 27 years old, De Jong is no longer seen as a promising young talent, which led Flick to sideline him, relegating him to a lesser role in the squad.
Joan Laporta and Deco have grown impatient with De Jong, particularly after he rejected all renewal offers. De Jong, whose contract runs out in 2026, aims to leave Camp Nou without the club receiving any transfer fee, seeking a move to a club offering better financial terms. This plan has raised concerns within the management, as Laporta does not want to risk losing him for nothing and hopes to reduce his significant salary, the highest in the squad.
The challenge for Barcelona lies in the limited interest from other clubs. Many teams that had previously shown interest have since withdrawn, and the club is struggling to generate the necessary funds, which exceed 60 million euros. However, there are a few clubs in Saudi Arabia, including Al Hilal and Al Nassr, willing to negotiate for De Jong’s transfer. These clubs could offer him a higher salary than his current one. Despite this, reports suggest that De Jong is not keen on moving to the Saudi league and prefers to continue his career in Europe, which complicates Barcelona’s efforts.
