De Jong’s long-term future in Catalonia remains uncertain as he continues to recover from an ankle injury this season. With his contract expiring in 2026, the club has yet to begin negotiations over a renewal, and rumors of a sale have diminished due to his injury.
The Netherlands international could still have a place at Barcelona, if his return to action is quick and consistent, but the club are considering all options. According to an exclusive report from footballtransfers.com, Barcelona have agreed a deal to pay De Jong around €18 million in unpaid wages, on the condition that he leaves in 2025.
Paid to leave
The deal is seen as a pragmatic solution to Barcelona’s continued need to balance wage excesses and move forward on a more solid financial footing.
The agreement refers to a portion of salaries deferred by de Jong during the Covid-19 pandemic, which remains unpaid, and de Jong’s representatives have been working on a resolution since 2022.
