Speaking at the Thinking Football Conference in Portugal (h/t AS), Barcelona sporting director Deco has confirmed that the club wants midfielder Frenkie de Jong to stay put amidst all the talk about his future.
De Jong has been out injured since April this year with an ankle issue and there is still no clarity over his comeback.
The midfielder is reluctant to return until he is 100% fit but has refused to undergo surgery to treat the ailment despite the club’s suggestion.
It has built some tension around his situation, and considering that his relationship with the board has become strained and his contract expires in 2026, rumours of a possible sale next year have been doing the rounds.
Barcelona want Frenkie to stay
However, Deco has dismissed any such notion, stating that Barcelona want Frenkie de Jong to stay put and that the club are eagerly waiting for him to return to playing.
Deco insists Barcelona want De Jong to stay. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
“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,” Deco said.
Continuing, he added: “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.”
De Jong’s high wages have been an issue for Barcelona and the club have made attempts to renew his contract with an adjusted salary.
However, despite having received a contract proposal months ago, the 27-year-old Netherlands international is yet to respond to the offer.
As Deco stated, the final decision about the future will rest with De Jong, but as far as Barcelona are concerned, the idea is to keep him at the club.
