Barcelona will look to tie 27-year-old Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong to a new three-year contract with €18-19 million-a-year wages amid his links with Arsenal.
According to a report by Spanish outlet SPORT, Frenkie de Jong has received a new contract with Barcelona. The Catalan giants want to tie the Dutch midfielder to a three-year deal with €18-19 million-a-year wages, the player’s current salary. Meanwhile, the former Ajax midfielder is a target for Arsenal heading into the summer transfer window.
Frenkie de Jong and his Barcelona journey so far
Frenkie de Jong has been a dependable performer since joining Barcelona from Ajax in July 2019. While the Dutchman has been one of the most consistent players for the Blaugrana, his fitness woes and the Catalan outfit’s financial issues have contributed to the player facing an uncertain future at the club.
However, the 27-year-old has overcome his issues after a slow start to the 2024/25 season, with his performances winning over Hansi Flick with each passing month. The Dutch midfielder has turned out nearly 250 times thus far for Barcelona while chipping in with 19 goals and 22 assists.
However, de Jong’s long-term future has been uncertain, as he has entered the final 18 months of his contract. The situation has piqued the attention of several high-profile clubs across Europe. Premier League bigwigs, in particular, are keen on signing the former Ajax midfielder, with Arsenal among the prospective suitors vying for his signature heading into the summer transfer window.
London calling?
Arsenal’s interest in Frenkie de Jong is understandable. The North London club will likely remodel the midfield unit in the summer transfer window amid uncertainties surrounding the long-term futures of Thomas Partey and Jorginho. Both midfielders are on the wrong side of 30, and they have entered the final few months of their contracts.
So, Arsenal should sign a younger midfielder in the summer transfer window, with de Jong emerging as a viable target. However, Barcelona will aim to tie the 27-year-old Dutchman to a new three-year contract, offering him the deal with €18-19 million-a-year wages, his current salary.
It is unclear if Barcelona’s offer will appeal to de Jong, considering his salary will not change. In addition, the new contract will be valid for only three years. So, it will be interesting to see if Arsenal can turn the Dutch midfielder’s head by offering him a hike on his €18-19 million-a-year wages.