Frenkie de Jong could earn €12m per year under new Barcelona deal – reports

Barcelona have reportedly reached a full agreement with Frenkie de Jong over a contract renewal that will keep the Dutch midfielder at the club until June 30, 2029. The new deal not only secures one of the team’s most influential players for the long term but also places him within Barcelona’s newly defined elite wage structure, signaling a major shift in the club’s financial planning under President Joan Laporta.

According to Cadena SER’s Que T’hi Jugues, De Jong will now earn an estimated €12 million gross per season, bringing his salary in line with Barcelona’s top-tier earners like Pedri, Ronald Araujo, Ferran Torres, and Dani Olmo. This adjustment reflects the club’s renewed efforts to balance competitiveness with sustainability, a key objective in light of their ongoing Financial Fair Play (FFP) obligations.

While players such as Robert Lewandowski, Marc-André ter Stegen, Lamine Yamal, and Raphinha remain in higher wage brackets due to previous contracts and performance clauses, De Jong’s inclusion in the upper-middle tier highlights his consistent influence on the pitch and his importance in Hansi Flick’s tactical setup.

The contract renewal process was not without challenges. Negotiations had been drawn out for several months due to lingering tensions from previous seasons, particularly when the club had considered selling De Jong amid financial strain. However, those uncertainties have now been replaced by renewed trust and commitment between player and management.

Much of this progress can be attributed to De Jong’s new representative, lawyer Sebastien Ledure, who replaced Ali Dursun as his agent earlier this year. Ledure played a crucial role in streamlining the talks, resolving previous legal complications, and accelerating the signing process that had previously been slowed by bureaucratic obstacles.

The formal signing is expected to take place once President Joan Laporta, Vice President Rafa Yuste, and the rest of the board have approved the final paperwork. Once that’s done, Barcelona plan to make an official announcement after the international break, accompanied by a press conference celebrating De Jong’s renewed commitment to the club.

For manager Hansi Flick, the midfielder’s extension is a major boost. Since arriving at Barcelona, Flick has emphasized De Jong’s central role in transitioning play and maintaining control in midfield. His tactical intelligence, composure under pressure, and versatility make him a cornerstone of Barcelona’s system — a blend of possession-based football and vertical attacking transitions that Flick continues to refine.

Sources within the club also reveal that following De Jong’s renewal, Barcelona’s next priorities are the contracts of Eric Garcia and Andreas Christensen. Garcia’s impressive form this season — especially his ability to adapt between central defense and midfield — has convinced Flick that he deserves a long-term deal. Christensen’s future, however, remains uncertain due to recent injury setbacks and the club’s evaluation of potential defensive reinforcements.

Beyond individual contracts, De Jong’s extension represents a symbolic victory for Barcelona’s sporting project. It sends a strong message to fans and rivals alike that the Catalan giants are not in a rebuilding phase but rather a stabilization and consolidation period under Flick’s leadership. The aim is to maintain core players while strategically integrating younger talents from La Masia, ensuring both continuity and evolution.

De Jong’s decision to stay also puts an end to recurring transfer speculation linking him with Manchester United, Chelsea, and even Bayern Munich. Despite significant interest from across Europe, the Dutchman’s loyalty to Barcelona has never wavered. He has repeatedly stated his desire to succeed at Camp Nou and help the club return to Champions League glory.

Financial experts suggest that the €12 million salary marks a balanced compromise — rewarding De Jong’s world-class performances while keeping the wage bill sustainable. This move aligns with Laporta’s broader economic strategy of rewarding merit and stability instead of inflated market-driven wages.

With the renewal now essentially complete, Barcelona can look ahead with optimism. The partnership between Frenkie de Jong and Pedri remains one of the most promising midfield duos in Europe, supported by the emerging brilliance of Gavi and the leadership of Ilkay Gündogan. For fans, De Jong’s continued presence means one thing — the heart of Barcelona’s midfield is secure for years to come.