🚨Barcelona director confirms club’s stance on €70 million-rated heavyweight’s future

Speaking at the Thinking Football Conference in Portugal (h/t AS), Barcelona’s sporting director Deco affirmed that the club intends for midfielder Frenkie de Jong to remain amidst speculation about his future.

De Jong, who has been sidelined with an ankle injury since April, still has no clear timeline for his return.

The midfielder is hesitant to come back until he is fully recovered and has declined to undergo surgery suggested by the club. This situation has created some tension, especially since his relationship with the board has become strained, and with his contract running until 2026, rumors of a potential sale next year have circulated.

However, Deco has dismissed these rumors, asserting that Barcelona wants Frenkie de Jong to stay and is eagerly awaiting his return to the field. Deco emphasized, “I don’t understand all the talk about Frenkie. He has a contract with Barça and we are very happy with him. He is a player we are anxious for him to come back because we need Frenkie.”

He continued, “The future? We want him to stay, but the player will decide in his own time. It’s not a matter for now. What matters is that Frenkie comes back to play for us, because we need him and we value him a lot.”

Barcelona has faced challenges with De Jong’s high wages and has attempted to renegotiate his contract with a revised salary.

Despite receiving a contract proposal months ago, the 27-year-old Netherlands international has yet to respond. As Deco mentioned, the final decision about De Jong’s future will be up to him, but Barcelona’s stance is to keep him at the club.