Barcelona’s ace midfielder, Frenkie de Jong, has been offered a contract extension in a proactive attempt by the club to preempt any potential poaching attempts from the Premier League. This move could have significant repercussions on the forthcoming transfer window – should de Jong accede to the new terms, Barcelona’s midfield will be fortified for the foreseeable future. However, his salary has perennially been a contentious issue.
Following an early-season ankle injury, de Jong’s tenacity and resilience have seen him claw back his position in the starting lineup, sharing the field with Pedri. His re-entry was initially through short stints off the bench, but his performance quickly earned him back his rightful place in the starting XI.
Yet, de Jong’s Barcelona journey has been far from smooth sailing. The fiscal disarray left in the wake of former president Josep Bartomeu’s tenure placed de Jong in the thick of a wage dispute, causing a rift between him and certain sections of the fanbase. His contract, architected under Bartomeu’s regime, was heavily skewed towards the tail end, leading to an exponential increase in his wages in the concluding years.
When Joan Laporta assumed the presidency, a desperate bid to alleviate the club’s financial woes saw attempts to push de Jong out of the club. However, the Dutchman stood his ground, expressing his desire to remain with the Catalans.
