Frenkie de Jong’s future at Barcelona seems to be coming to an end, as the Dutch midfielder has failed to adapt to the coach’s plans and is no longer a real addition to the team.
Moreover, his high salary has become a financial burden that is difficult to justify in light of the club’s current situation. In this context, Joan Laporta has decided to take a serious step towards exploring the possibility of his transfer in the upcoming winter transfer market.
According to information from the Spanish newspaper “El Nacional”, the Barcelona president’s main goal is to sign Rafael Leao, the Milan star. The Portuguese player is highly regarded within the technical and administrative circles of the club, as his profile fits perfectly with the team’s needs.
Laporta is working to leverage his good relations with agent Jorge Mendes to include De Jong in a deal that could help reduce the financial cost required to sign Leao.
However, this move will not be without challenges. One of the most prominent questions raised is whether Frenkie de Jong will agree to move to Milan. Although Serie A has regained some of its luster in recent years, it remains less competitive than La Liga or the English Premier League, where De Jong has other options. Additionally, the player’s salary at Barcelona is among the highest in the team, which could pose an obstacle to any negotiations with the Italian club, which may not be able to offer a comparable salary.
On the other hand, some at Barcelona believe that the recent criticism De Jong has received from the team’s fans may push him to accept the idea of looking for a new challenge. The relationship between the player and the fans has deteriorated following strong competition from his teammates for his place in the starting lineup.
As for Rafael Leao, he continues to have a stellar season with Milan and is considered one of the most promising forwards in Europe, thanks to his speed, dribbling skills, and ability to threaten the opponent’s goal. Although his contract with Milan runs until 2028, Barcelona are confident that including De Jong in the deal, along with an attractive financial offer, may be enough to convince the Rossoneri.
With the January transfer window approaching, negotiations are expected to intensify. Joan Laporta has given the green light for the move, and now it’s up to how the pieces fit together. If Frenkie de Jong agrees to the transfer, Barcelona could receive a significant boost in attack with the signing of Rafael Leao for the second half of the season.