Following the international break, FC Barcelona is expected to resume discussions with Frenkie de Jong’s entourage to finally kick off negotiations for his contract renewal until 2029. As reported by Sport, after his new representatives touched base with Deco a few weeks ago, the Blaugrana club is approaching the situation calmly and without any rush. It’s noteworthy that the club’s intention was not to start the season with players whose contracts were expiring at the end of it. Nevertheless, it’s clear that Frenkie is keen to renew, a sentiment he has publicly expressed, making the situation vastly different from previous years.
It’s important to understand why Frenkie has changed his strategy. Typically, when a player hires an agent, it’s with an eye on a possible transfer, leveraging the agent’s network for a commission. However, when the plan is to stay, as in De Jong’s case, it’s more practical to enlist lawyers specialized in sports law who can handle legal paperwork efficiently, without needing the commercial intermediation previously provided by his former agent, Ali Dursun.
Finally, Everyone is Rowing in the Same Direction
Initial contacts with his new team were very positive and are expected to resume in a few weeks. It’s important to highlight that during that first meeting, no formal negotiation took place as the parties were unfamiliar with each other. It was an informal meeting. Nevertheless, Barcelona is at ease, knowing that, for the first time, both the player and his team are moving in the same direction. Moreover, the club appreciates that the meeting with Deco unfolded with sensibility and transparency, avoiding the gestures and tensions that previously strained conversations to the breaking point.
Arranging a meeting with his previous agent, Ali Dursun, was complex and slowed down the process. The sporting directors initially, led by Alemany and Cruyff, and later Deco, found it challenging to negotiate with him. Added to this were interferences the player himself received from third parties, which eventually broke trust. Although Dursun’s last meeting with Deco had a somewhat positive tone, Frenkie decided to take the definitive step and change his representative.
Now the responsibility falls on Sebastian Ledure, CEO of Cresta Law Firm, accompanied by lawyers Wouter Janssens and Wendy Rommedahl. The meeting with Deco was viewed as a professional gesture and left a very positive impression. After the international break, further discussions are anticipated, which Barcelona eagerly awaits. For now, nothing is scheduled.
The feeling within the club is that too many attempts were made to negotiate his renewal with his former agent without success. Now, with new lawyers on Frenkie’s side and the player’s clear intent to stay, there is total confidence that this time the process will successfully conclude, securing the continuity of a key player in Barcelona’s midfield. Frenkie’s renewal is coming, steadily and surely.
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