Barcelona coach Hansi Flick is urging the club’s management to renew the contract of one of their key first-team players. Following Barcelona’s emphatic 5-0 win over Valencia in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals, the German coach has intensified his push to secure Frenkie de Jong’s future at the club.
According to Catalan newspaper Sport, Flick considers De Jong an essential part of his squad despite the midfielder’s ongoing physical challenges. The coach envisions the Dutchman as Barcelona’s primary defensive midfielder, ahead of Marc Casadó, making his contract renewal a top priority.
However, financial difficulties pose a major obstacle. De Jong’s current deal includes significant deferred payments, making the upcoming season his most expensive yet for the club. As a result, Barcelona are working on a long-term extension that would restructure his salary to ease the financial burden.
Despite Flick’s strong backing, negotiations remain complicated. De Jong is reportedly hesitant, given the financial sacrifices he has already made in previous contract discussions. With Barcelona’s economic struggles still a factor, securing an agreement will be a delicate task for the club’s management.
