Barcelona – In an effort to secure the future of the club’s brightest talents, Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, has been hard at work over recent weeks. “Barcelona sporting director Deco has been busy in recent weeks finalizing new contracts for several key players, including Ronald Araujo, Pedri, and Gavi. And he is not finished yet, with the club’s second “renewal plan” set to begin soon, at which point the likes of Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Jules Kounde will be offered new deals.” This decisive move signals a strategic push to lock down both seasoned performers and emerging stars as the club looks to maintain its competitive edge.
The renewal plan is not limited solely to these young prospects. Among those included in the negotiations is Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong, albeit positioned just below the aforementioned trio in the renewal hierarchy. De Jong’s future at the Camp Nou had become uncertain after he did not respond to earlier contract proposals, leading many to speculate about a possible exit. However, the midfielder’s stance has taken a positive turn in recent times, according to MD.
Despite a prolonged period of silence from his representatives regarding contract discussions, de Jong appears set to remain in Catalonia. Recent developments have seen his performances rebound, with his stock rising noticeably after a challenging phase marked by injury and form struggles.
The renewed optimism surrounding his game has contributed to his apparent happiness and commitment to the club. Although his representatives have held off on initiating formal talks – a decision mutually agreed upon to delay negotiations for at least a month or two – insiders are confident that the discussions will resume shortly.
This shift in attitude is a relief not only to club management but also to figures beyond Barcelona’s immediate sphere. German coach Hansi Flick, who has long expressed full confidence in de Jong, has been vocal in his desire to see the midfielder remain at the club well beyond the expiry of his current contract. Flick’s faith in de Jong has been unwavering, even during the latter’s difficult period following a five-month injury lay-off. The prospect of a contract extension is a vital step to maintaining the stability of Barcelona’s midfield, an area critical to the club’s long-term ambitions.
As Barcelona continues to fortify its squad with these contract renewals, the club’s future appears promising. With key players secured and a plan in place to reinvigorate the squad’s younger talents, fans can look forward to sustained competitiveness in the seasons ahead.