As part of its ongoing quest to regain its place among the giants of European football, Barcelona is making ambitious plans to strengthen its squad during the upcoming summer transfer window. The Catalan club, long a symbol of domestic and international success, aims to return to European glory after a period of absence from winning the Champions League.
According to information from the Spanish newspaper El Nacional, Hansi Flick is continuing his preparations for next season with Barcelona, where one of his top priorities is securing the continued presence of one of the team’s key players: Frenkie de Jong. Although signings are part of Flick’s strategy, the German coach is especially focused on finalizing the Dutchman’s contract renewal before the start of pre-season in mid-July.
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Since taking charge of the team, Flick has placed full confidence in De Jong, considering him the cornerstone of the squad’s structure, thanks to his technical quality and ability to bring balance to the midfield. The coach values the player’s tactical intelligence, his skill in creating and distributing play, and his versatility—being able to perform both as a pivot and an advanced midfielder—offering the team a range of tactical options.
On these grounds, Flick has insisted that his sporting project at Barcelona must include retaining De Jong. The coach is unwilling to allow any uncertainty regarding the player’s future as preparations begin for the 2025–26 season. He has therefore urged the club’s management to make the contract renewal a top priority. With De Jong’s current deal set to expire in June 2026, delaying the extension has now become a source of pressure for the club.
Flick has elevated De Jong’s importance in his plans, viewing his continued presence as a strategic necessity, not only from a footballing perspective but also at the management level. Deco, who is involved in the negotiations, is working on a proposal to adjust De Jong’s salary in line with the club’s financial situation, while still offering terms attractive enough to convince the player to renew.
For these reasons, Flick is pressing to finalize De Jong’s renewal in the coming weeks, identifying it as one of the major challenges facing Joan Laporta before the new pre-season begins. Team stability has become a cornerstone of Barcelona’s future, and De Jong remains a vital piece in Flick’s long-term vision.
