Barca’s 2019 signing Frenkie de Jong was put on display last summer, because the Orange international was one of the few players the club could earn serious money from. However, De Jong did not want to leave his dream club at all and therefore did not respond to the advances of, for example, Manchester United. Barcelona was disappointed, but that is now a thing of the past.
De Jong convinces everyone at Barcelona: “Luckily we didn’t sell him,” Xavi praised.
De Jong is having an excellent season at Barcelona and is sure of a basic place in Xavi’s team every week. On Sunday, after the 0-1 victory over Athletic de Bilbao, the trainer gave the Dutchman a big compliment: “Frenkie has been playing at an extraordinary level for months,” Xavi praised. “He’s one of the best midfielders in the world. Frenkie is spectacular.”
Barcelona’s technical management fully agrees, writes Mundo Deportivo. The Catalan daily, well informed when it comes to the leader of La Liga, says it has spoken to someone from the board. He argues that it would have been a mistake if Barcelona had indeed let De Jong go. “Luckily we didn’t sell it,” the source (whose name is not mentioned) is quoted as saying.
Mundo Deportivo emphasizes in its reporting that Barcelona only wanted to sell De Jong last summer for economic reasons: there has never been any discussion at the club about the sporting added value of the Dutchman. This season, however, he has taken the next step and has become indispensable for Barcelona, it is claimed.
25-year-old De Jong has been playing for Barcelona since 2019. And recently stated that he would like to remain loyal to the club. His contract at Camp Nou runs until mid-2026. De Jong recently said that he wants to continue at Barca. “The club would do well not only to keep him,. But also to renew his contract,” Marca wrote about De Jong on Sunday evening.
De Jong says, “I want to stay at Barca for many years to come”
“I am very calm here, very happy. I want to stay at Barca for many years to come. And I knew from the first moment that I would stay at Barca and I never changed my mind. I have always dreamed of playing for Barça and I want to be successful here,” said the midfielder, who also explains the conditions that must be met for success.
“I’ve never won La Liga. This is my fourth season here and I’ve never been as close as now. But the road is still long,” says De Jong. Who secretly dreams of the treble: La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Super Cup. “That would be extraordinary, but next year we also have to improve in Europe.”
