Arsenal ready to pounce if €45m player fails to renew at Barcelona – Report | OneFootball

FC Barcelona head into the new La Liga season with a squad strong enough to compete on all fronts. Hansi Flick’s men look even more formidable on paper than last term, and with pre-season now wrapped up, the Catalans will open their campaign against Mallorca tonight.

Behind the scenes, however, one key issue remains unsettled. Sporting director Deco has worked tirelessly to secure long-term futures for several core players, yet vice-captain Frenkie de Jong has not signed a contract extension.

The €45 million-rated Dutchman’s current deal runs until 2026. While he has reiterated on multiple occasions that his desire is to continue at Camp Nou, talks have not yielded a breakthrough. Speculation is therefore expected to persist until the renewal agreement is signed, and it has already reached the Premier League.

Arsenal circling in the background

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According to a report from Fichajes, Arsenal are closely monitoring De Jong’s situation. Should renewal talks drag on, the London side is prepared to test the waters.

Mikel Arteta has long admired the 28-year-old’s profile. De Jong is coming off one of the best seasons of his career, thriving in Flick’s system and proving himself as one of the finest midfielders in Europe.

Even though Arsenal already boast an enviable midfield with Declan Rice, Martin Ødegaard, Mikel Merino, and summer signing Martín Zubimendi, Arteta reportedly views De Jong’s press resistance, composure under pressure, and control in transitions as qualities that could elevate his squad further.

Renewal complications at Barcelona

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Barcelona, for their part, are determined to tie De Jong down beyond 2026. But the negotiations are far from straightforward. The club, still navigating its financial restructuring, wants the midfielder to accept a significant salary reduction.

Adding to the complexity is De Jong’s intention to end his relationship with his current agent, Ali Dursun, whose contract with him also runs until 2026.

These factors have slowed the process, creating an air of uncertainty. Although both De Jong and the club publicly maintain that they see his future in Barcelona, the absence of a concrete renewal leaves the door ajar for outside interest.

The free-agent factor

If no agreement is reached soon, Barcelona could face a risky situation. De Jong has now entered the final year of his contract, which runs until June 2026.

This means that from January 2026, he will be legally allowed to negotiate directly with other clubs as a free agent, leaving Barcelona in danger of losing one of their most important players without receiving a transfer fee.

For Arsenal, this would represent a golden opportunity. Not only could they secure a top-level midfielder without a transfer fee, but they could also offer De Jong a lucrative package that Barcelona, given their financial restrictions, might struggle to match.

A priority for Deco and the Barcelona board

For Barcelona fans, there is little reason to panic just yet. De Jong remains committed to the club, and both parties share an interest in extending his stay.

Even so, with Arsenal reportedly lurking in the background, his renewal should be treated as a priority by Deco and the Barcelona board.