A report from Spain indicates that contract discussions for Barcelona duo Ronald Araujo and Frenkie de Jong have reached an impasse.
Both Ronald Araujo and Frenkie de Jong, key players for Barcelona, are under contracts set to expire in 2026. With about 18 months left on their contracts, Barcelona is eager to speed up extension talks.
However, rather than outright rejections, the club is reportedly facing silence from the players’ camps, according to Marca.
Although both were offered new contracts at the beginning of 2024, neither has responded.The two players find themselves in completely different positions on the negotiation table.
Araujo, regarded as one of the world’s top center-backs at age 25, is seen as a long-term asset for the Blaugrana.
Barcelona reportedly prioritize the Uruguayan’s renewal over De Jong’s, with a lucrative five-year deal on the table for the defender. Meanwhile, De Jong would need to consider a pay cut to stay at Camp Nou.
The club allegedly issued a deadline to the Dutchman earlier this year, demanding a resolution to his contract situation before the January transfer window.
If an agreement cannot be reached, Barcelona would be forced to consider selling the 27-year-old, a move that could be complicated by the significant back wages he is owed after deferring his salary during the 2019/2020.
Negotiations with Araujo’s camp are expected to pick up before the end of the year, while De Jong’s representatives, despite Barcelona’s timeline, appear to be in no hurry to respond.
Both players have been plagued by injuries in recent times with De Jong missing over five months due to an ankle injury before finally returning in October. Araujo is still out after sustaining a severe hamstring injury during last summer’s Copa America.
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