Deco provides update on contract renewals of Ronald Araujo and Frenkie de Jong | OneFootball

Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, has expressed optimism about renewing the contracts of key players like Gavi and Pedri, but there are still other important cases to address, particularly with Ronald Araujo and Frenkie de Jong.

Deco has been cautious regarding their situations, acknowledging that negotiations are ongoing to secure their stays at the club. However, he emphasized that the decision ultimately lies with the players themselves.

Araujo’s future has been a subject of interest, especially with Bayern Munich reportedly making an offer for the Uruguayan defender.

Deco spoke about the need for Barcelona to continue growing as a club, stating that for players like Araujo to commit to long-term contracts, they must be part of a competitive and successful team.

Depends on the players

Ronald Araujo’s contract ends in 2026. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Barcelona need to regain its stature in European football, with top-quality players and a winning mentality. Deco believes that Araujo, like many others, wants to be part of that future, but this depends on the team’s continued improvement and success.

“The first thing is that the players want to be here, but in order for them to want to be here, there is work to be done. We have to be competing at a high level, to have quality work, to have people on a day-to-day basis who give support at all levels,” he told Mundo Deportivo.

“I imagine that Ronald wants to be part of what will be the next years of Barça, a Barça that will be fighting for all the titles, that will be winning, that will be there.

“I say again the same thing: I would like to be part of that if I were a player today. It is being worked on and at the right time, it will be explained,” he added.

When asked about his optimism regarding Araujo’s renewal, Deco made it clear that while he remains hopeful, the club’s priority is ensuring that all players share the same vision.

“I do not want to individualize the renovations because there are more players, it is a work we are going to do day by day.

It’s crucial that players want to stay at Barcelona, but for that to happen, the team must perform at the highest level.

“We are working, but for me, the most important thing is that the players’ ideas are in line with ours. We know what we want but it always depends on the players. If the players want, things will work out,” he noted.

What about Frenkie de Jong?

Frenkie de Jong has an offer on the table. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Frenkie de Jong’s situation is also a key concern, with his contract running until 2026. While Deco confirmed that discussions are taking place, he stressed that the focus should not be on individual contract renewals at this stage.

“For me, it is very clear. Apart from wanting to stay, the club also makes the decisions. But this is not the time to be worried about renewals that are two years old, but first we have to focus on what we have to do.

“I can’t give information on everything we have because otherwise, I would have to explain everything we are going to do every day. Since the way I work is discreet, I don’t have to explain what I do with the agents out of respect,” he said.

He believes that the right time will come for these matters to be addressed. De Jong, like Araujo, is a player the club values for his contributions both now and in the future.

In the case of Frenkie, it is a normal procedure. We have a player who has quality, who has an important age, who can contribute a lot of things and within what can be done we are working on renewals. I do not want to individualize.

“In the end, there is work to be done, but I don’t want to give priority to things that are not the most important.

Although an offer has been made to De Jong, Deco is cautious about sharing specifics, opting for discretion in these sensitive matters.

“That is the day-to-day work we have to do. I don’t want to individualize because I think it’s not fair for the team and it’s not the right time, but work is being done,” he explained.