Barcelona table a three-year contract offer to key midfielder amid Arsenal interest | OneFootball

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie De Jong has once again become a key player under Hansi Flick after going through a difficult period soon after returning from his injury.

The Dutch international has solidified his role in the starting lineup, overtaking Marc Casad in the central midfield position. Both the coaching staff and the club’s sporting management highly value his contributions.

New contract offer tabled

As a result, SPORT reports that Barcelona director, Deco, has begun negotiations with De Jong’s representatives regarding a contract renewal.

The midfielder’s current contract is set to expire on 30 June 2026. In February, Deco met with the player’s agent, Ali Dursun, to present a new renewal proposal, as the previous one had been deemed outdated by the club.

The new offer extends De Jong’s contract for three more seasons, maintaining his current salary of approximately €18 to €19 million gross per year.

Notably, the new contract does not include any of the deferred salary payments that Barcelona owed the player. These payments were agreed upon in October 2020, under the presidency of Josep Maria Bartomeu, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The club is now awaiting De Jong’s response, aware that significant offers from Premier League clubs, including Arsenal, have reached his agent.

Frenkie de Jong’s stance

Frenkie de Jong offered a new contract. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Barcelona remain optimistic about De Jong’s renewal, particularly as the midfielder has always been admired by club president Joan Laporta.

There is also a growing belief that the Dutchman has moved past his frustrations with the club’s previous sporting management, which had attempted to offload him and encouraged him to accept a lucrative offer from Manchester United.

At present, De Jong’s intention appears to be to continue at Barcelona, a stance that was uncertain just a few months ago. A key factor in his decision is Hansi Flick.

The Dutchman has observed that the German coach places immense trust in him, especially now that he has fully recovered from injury. He sees himself as a first-choice player under Flick.

Additionally, De Jong recognises that, under Flick’s leadership, Barcelona are building a competitive and ambitious project for the future. Now, he believes that he has a real opportunity to win major trophies.

Off the pitch, his family is very comfortable in Barcelona and wishes to continue living in Catalonia, a sentiment shared by the player himself.

Additionally, the positive atmosphere in the dressing room, with a well-balanced mix of experienced players and young talents, further strengthens his desire to stay. The fact that he has been appointed as one of the club’s four captains is also a factor he values.

While there is still time before the end of the season, Barcelona hope to finalise De Jong’s contract renewal in the coming weeks, remaining highly optimistic about a positive outcome.