De Jong set to extend Barcelona stay in financially savvy deal – reports

Barcelona are on the verge of securing the long-term future of Frenkie de Jong, with the midfielder expected to sign a new contract that will tie him to the club until 2029. The negotiations, which have been moving forward in recent weeks, are said to be progressing smoothly after a meeting between sporting director Deco and de Jong’s new representative, Sébastien Ledure, at the Ciutat Esportiva on Wednesday.

The Dutchman, whose current deal runs until 2026, has always been vocal about his desire to remain at the club despite interest from major European sides in past transfer windows. His renewal would be a major boost for Hansi Flick’s project, ensuring that one of the team’s most influential midfielders continues to play a pivotal role in Barcelona’s sporting plans.

The discussions have reportedly focused on restructuring de Jong’s salary, which remains one of the highest in the squad due to deferred payments agreed during the pandemic. By spreading these payments over additional years, Barcelona hopes to ease the immediate financial pressure on their wage bill while still rewarding the player for his loyalty and importance.

Club sources have described de Jong’s stance as “unquestionable commitment,” pointing to his repeated statements on the club’s pre-season tour in Asia, where he reiterated that Barcelona remains the only place he wants to be. Such public declarations have only reinforced the sense of optimism surrounding the deal.

The agreement, if finalized, will see de Jong’s current contract extended by three more years, ensuring he does not leave for free in 2026 while simultaneously creating more room in Barcelona’s finances. The strategy revolves around amortisation adjustments and deferred payments, a financial tool the club has used to manage its books in recent years.

De Jong first arrived from Ajax in 2019 for a fee of €75 million plus €11 million in add-ons. His signing was considered a statement of intent, as Barcelona outbid several top European clubs to secure his services. The midfielder quickly became a central figure in the squad, admired for his composure, vision, and ability to dictate the tempo of matches.

In 2020, his contract was extended until 2026, reducing the annual amortisation from €15 million to €10 million. The proposed new deal, stretching until 2029, would lower that figure even further, bringing welcome financial relief to the Catalan giants. These savings could be redirected to other pressing priorities, such as registering new signings or renewing the contracts of emerging stars.

There is no immediate rush to finalize the renewal before the summer transfer window closes, but sources close to the negotiations suggest the club would like to conclude the matter soon. Having de Jong’s deal signed and sealed could free up fair play margin and help Barcelona meet La Liga’s 1:1 financial rule, which they aim to comply with by January.

Sporting-wise, de Jong remains indispensable. Despite struggling with an ankle injury at the beginning of last season and facing competition from academy graduate Marc Casadó, the Dutchman fought back to reclaim his starting spot. Alongside Pedri, he formed a midfield axis that carried Barcelona through the second half of the campaign, highlighting his resilience and value.

Now 28 years old and entering his seventh season at the club, de Jong has established himself not just as a starter but also as one of the team’s leaders. He was recently named Barcelona’s third captain, a recognition of both his influence on the pitch and his character off it.

For de Jong, there is still unfinished business at Barcelona. He has openly spoken about his dream of lifting the UEFA Champions League in blaugrana colors, a trophy that has eluded him since his arrival. With Hansi Flick at the helm and a new generation of talent emerging, he is determined to be part of a squad capable of challenging Europe’s elite once again.

The timing of his renewal also comes at a promising moment. Barcelona currently sit top of La Liga after an impressive 3-0 win over Mallorca, a performance that underscored the balance and energy Flick has been able to instill in the team. De Jong’s continued presence will only strengthen that project.

Ultimately, this renewal reflects more than just financial engineering. It symbolizes Barcelona’s trust in a player who has weathered managerial changes, financial crises, and constant transfer speculation. For de Jong, it is another chance to reaffirm his loyalty to a club he has repeatedly said feels like home. For the club, it is a crucial step in building stability for the future.

If finalized, the deal will ensure that Frenkie de Jong, once the jewel of Ajax’s golden generation, spends the prime years of his career at Barcelona. It could prove to be one of the most important signings of the season—not from outside the club, but from within.