FC Barcelona midfielder Frenkie De Jong has effectively dedicated the rest of his career peak to the … [+]
FC Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has effectively committed the rest of his career to his “dream” club during an interview with local newspaper El Periodico published on Sunday.
The Dutchman is now an “untouchable”, permanent starter in head coach Xavi Hernandez’s plans. But just 12 months ago, his plight in Catalonia was far different.
Benched by emerging youngsters Pedri and Gavi, the 26-year-old was deemed Barca’s most sellable asset as they struggled financially and looked to buy new players for the 2022/2023 season.
According to The Athletic, Barca accepted an €85 million ($93.2 million) offer from Manchester United for the playmaker’s services in mid-July.
Determined to succeed under Xavi, however, and fulfil the promise he brought with him when arriving from Ajax for €75 million ($82.2 million) in 2019, De Jong decided to stay put and embark on a comeback story for the ages concluded by Barca lifting a first La Liga crown in four years.
Asked about that challenging period by Catalan publication El Periodico, De Jong sighed and said Barca’s financial situation “is as it is”.
“Economically, Barca are not at their best. And they could get a lot of money for me. Maybe the club thought it was good to sell me and have that money. But I didn’t want to leave. I had always been clear about it. I didn’t want to. That’s why I was very calm. I had decided.
“I always wanted to be at Barca. In these first years [since joining from Ajax] we had not won La Liga, nor had we come far in the Champions League. We had only won one Copa del Rey.
“To succeed at Barca I had a lot left [to achieve]. And I also saw that the team was improving that summer. Players of a high level arrived, and that’s why I wanted to keep going.
“It’s my dream club and I want to be here all my life. I didn’t want to leave suddenly,” De Jong finished on this, effectively committing the rest of his career – or at least his peak years – to the Blaugrana.
With a contract which expires on June 30, 2026, there is still plenty of De Jong left to enjoy for Culers.
In May, there was a report from SPORT explaining that renewal talks had begun to extend his terms beyond said date.
Another deal that runs to say 2029 would take De Jong past his 33rd birthday, and ensure that he has given at least a decade to Barca.
Following the case of former pivot partner Sergio Busquets, who left to join Lionel Messi at Inter Miami last month, he might even stay beyond 35 providing he can still operate at the highest level.