Deco's priorities at Barca: De Jong and Lewandowski
Barça's sporting director, Deco, is trying to sort out the squad's salary limit numbers in order to have room for manoeuvre for the summer. They have juggled a lot in recent months, but there is little room for maneuver and the situation is complicated.
There are practically no options to improve salaries for anyone and what is at stake is to reconfigure some contracts that will be out of control from June onwards and that will have a direct impact on the formation of the new squad. The two most worrying ones are Lewandowski's and Frenkie de Jong's, two absolute priorities for Barça, who are looking for some kind of understanding with the players. And it is complicated.
Deco has already contacted Frenkie de Jong's agents to discuss a contract renewal. His idea was to move forward fully before the end of the year, but the thing is not going so fast because the Dutchman is in no hurry to talk, as has happened before.
His contract ends in 2026 and Barça will consider renewing it practically for life in a global contract in which the economic amounts to be charged are ordered. A complicated operation in which Barça will make clear its commitment to the Dutchman, but which also requires an effort from De Jong since in the following two years he should receive slightly less money.
De Jong was very upset two summers ago when Barça tried to sell him to Manchester United. His relationship with the board was severely damaged and he expressed it publicly. Time has calmed things down, but De Jong is not ready to give up anything. If he does not agree to negotiate, there will be a period of reflection, but the two parties are doomed to reach an agreement. De Jong is very comfortable in Barcelona and Barça considers him one of the best midfielders in the world. However, if he starts next season without signing his extension, everything could end up exploding.
With Lewandowski the case is different. He signed with a rising wage and next season he will be the highest paid when he plays in the last year of his contract. He is the leader of the project and his physical condition allows him to play at the highest level for a few more years despite his age. In the summer, Barça will have to talk to him to make a decision because in any case they do not want him to leave for nothing at the end of hi deal. Lewandowski is happy in Barcelona, he made a great effort to come and his people are in tune with Barça. It is likely that a one-year renewal will be considered, although it will be the player himself who will lead the way with Saudi Arabia lurking with their millions.
