Frenkie de Jong’s Value Drops by €35 Million: Barcelona’s Ultimatum—Transfer or Exile, No World Cup Dream

Barcelona’s financial struggles are no secret. In their ongoing effort to alleviate the mounting pressure on their budget, the club has been forced to consider drastic measures, including offloading players and reducing salary expenditures. Among the pressing issues, the case of Frenkie de Jong stands out as a major challenge.

On December 28, Mundo Deportivo revealed that Barcelona has devised a harsh strategy to deal with the Dutch midfielder. De Jong, now 27, is under contract with the Catalan club until 2026. Factoring in deferred wages from the COVID-19 pandemic, his salary for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons is estimated to approach €20 million annually—an unsustainable burden for the financially embattled club.

De Jong’s Declining Role

According to Mundo Deportivo, De Jong is no longer considered one of Barcelona’s key players. In the pecking order for midfield positions, the likes of Gavi, Pedri, Dani Olmo, Casadó, and Fermín López are all ahead of him. Even Eric García, who has been deployed as a defensive midfielder, and the injured young talent Bernal, once he recovers, are expected to receive more opportunities than De Jong.

Five years ago, Barcelona invested €86 million to secure De Jong’s signature from Ajax, outbidding clubs like Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain. However, recurring injuries and inconsistent performances have prevented him from living up to expectations.

As of late 2024, De Jong’s market value has plummeted to €45 million, a sharp decline from the €80 million valuation he held at the start of the year. This staggering €35 million drop in just 12 months underscores the urgency for Barcelona to make a decisive move regarding his future.

Barcelona’s Dilemma

With De Jong’s contract inching closer to its expiration, Barcelona faces a critical decision. Initially, the club had two potential plans:

1. Salary Reduction and Contract Extension
   Barcelona hoped to negotiate a contract extension with De Jong, which would involve a significant pay cut. By spreading his salary over additional years, the club could reduce its financial strain. However, De Jong has shown little interest in this proposal, maintaining a distant and indifferent stance.

2. Transfer in Summer 2025
   The alternative is to sell De Jong in the summer of 2025 to recoup part of the initial transfer fee. With his contract set to expire in 2026, this would be Barcelona’s last chance to avoid losing him for free.

A Stern Warning

As negotiations for a contract extension have stalled, Barcelona has reportedly abandoned the first option. The board has concluded that De Jong is unlikely to agree to a renewal and that extending his contract holds limited strategic value. The club no longer sees him as a player capable of leading Barcelona’s future.

Instead, Barcelona has opted for a more uncompromising approach. If De Jong refuses to accept a transfer in the summer of 2025, the club is prepared to take severe action. According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona plans to completely sideline De Jong for the 2025-26 season, denying him any playing time and effectively exiling him from the squad.

World Cup Implications

The timing of this ultimatum could not be more consequential. The 2026 FIFA World Cup looms on the horizon, and a year of inactivity at Barcelona would severely jeopardize De Jong’s chances of being selected for the Dutch national team. Without regular training or match experience, his prospects of participating in World Cup qualifiers or the tournament itself would be bleak.

This potential scenario serves as a stark warning to De Jong: either agree to a transfer in 2025 or face professional isolation during a critical phase of his career.

The Decline of a Promising Talent

De Jong’s journey at Barcelona has been one of unfulfilled promise. Once hailed as one of the brightest young midfielders in Europe, his tenure at Camp Nou has been marred by injuries and a lack of consistency. The €86 million investment that once symbolized Barcelona’s ambition has now become a cautionary tale of financial mismanagement and unmet expectations.

As the summer transfer window of 2025 approaches, the spotlight will remain firmly fixed on De Jong and Barcelona’s high-stakes standoff. For the Dutchman, the coming months will be pivotal in determining whether he can revive his career or risk fading into obscurity.