Barcelona are urgently working to extend the contract of Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong, aiming to push through a new deal rapidly during the current summer. According to Diario SPORT, the proposal restructures his deferred salary, spreading it over coming years and extending his deal through summer 2029. His current contract runs only until summer 2026.
Financial Fair Play: The Real Motivation
The speed behind this push is not just sporting—it's driven by Financial Fair Play (FFP) constraints. Barcelona’s massive wage bill and delayed salary payments have strained their ability to register new signings. The new contract would reduce De Jong’s short‑term salary burden, defer remaining payments, and thus free up wage flexibility needed to register new players while complying with La Liga’s cap limits.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta recently confirmed that negotiations are progressing smoothly and both sides are aligned: “It's on the right track... There are no issues,” he said, emphasizing De Jong’s importance to the squad and confirming the club’s intention to secure his long‑term future while relieving fiscal pressure.
Key Contract Details
- Extend De Jong’s stay until 2029
- Restructure his contract to lower fixed wages but increase performance-related incentives
- Remove deferred salary accrued during the COVID era—paid out over extended term
- Drastically reduce his release clause from €400 million to around €80 million
De Jong’s Position and Club Dynamics
At 28 years old and recently returning to form under manager Hansi Flick, De Jong has reestablished himself as a key central midfielder. He has made over 250 appearances since joining from Ajax in 2019 for €86 million and remains committed to Barça—after months of transfer talk and speculation, he publicly stated he’s “very happy at Barça” and hopes to stay for years to come despite persistent rumors.
Why It Makes Sense
For Barcelona, this offer is a strategic masterstroke: retaining a crucial midfield presence, reducing short-term liability, and enhancing budget flexibility. For De Jong, it provides long-term stability at the club he loves, with incentives tied to performance rather than a fixed wage that doesn’t reflect current realities.
Summary Table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Current Contract Expires | Summer 2026 |
| Proposed Extension | Until Summer 2029 |
| Proposed Financial Renegotiation | Lower fixed wages, more bonuses, deferred payments removed |
| Release Clause | Reduced from €400 m to about €80 m |
| Strategic Benefit for Barça | Eases FFP constraints; frees salary cap space for new signings |
| Player’s Perspective | Stability and playing for the club he loves |
Futlix Opinion
From a human and sporting perspective, this deal feels necessary and reasonable—for both parties. De Jong has weathered criticism and financial turbulence, yet remained loyal and professional. Barcelona benefit enormously by turning what was a fiscal liability into a manageable asset. The contract restructure represents not just financial engineering, but also a symbol of mutual trust and a hockey‑like reset.
Given how essential De Jong has become in Flick's midfield rotation, securing him until 2029 is wise. Whether the release clause stays too low is a longer-term debate—but as it stands, this is a pragmatic, win-win resolution that would keep De Jong integral to Barça’s midfield while giving the club breathing room.