Barcelona president Joan Laporta has confirmed that Lamine Yamal has agreed a contract extension with La Blaugrana, while Frenkie de Jong is also in talks over a renewal. Hansi Flick’s men are currently in party mode after securing the La Liga title, triumphing 2-0 over Espanyol on Friday to officially eliminate Real Madrid from first-placed contention. La Blaugrana are now simply completing the formalities of their top-flight campaign, as they host Villarreal on Sunday before travelling to Athletic Bilbao next weekend in the final gameweek of the campaign. With the crown already wrapped up, attentions are turning to a busy summer of spending, selling and signing, and the powers-that-be at Camp Nou are working to tie down their prized assets to new contracts. Ballon d’Or contender Yamal has been one of the first in line for new terms, having enjoyed another extraordinary campaign with 42 direct goal involvements in 53 matches, 17 of his own and 25 assists. Two years on from making his Barcelona debut under Xavi at the age of 15, the still-teenage Yamal is already considered one of the best players of the world, even at his tender age. As things stand, however, the Euro 2024 winner could become a free agent at the end of next season, and there were rumours of Paris Saint-Germain submitting a sensational nine-figure bid for his services last year. Manchester City and Liverpool are also said to have been casting a watchful eye over Yamal’s situation, waiting to see whether the 2007-born talent could become available due to Barcelona’s delicate financial situation. However, Barca president Laporta has now confirmed that Yamal has put pen to paper on a new deal, and all that is left is the announcement, telling reporters: “Lamine Yamal’s contract renewal has already been agreed upon. Now all that remains is the official signing.” As well as tying down Yamal for another few years, Barcelona are doing their utmost to extend the terms of De Jong, whose long-term future has been the subject of intense speculation for a couple of years now. Then-Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag relentlessly pursued his former Ajax protege in the summer of 2022, and Barcelona even accepted an offer from the Red Devils, but De Jong refused to leave. De Jong initially struggled for starts under Flick, but he made the first XI for all of Barca’s games in the Champions League knockout rounds, and Laporta has confirmed that talks are ongoing to prolong his deal beyond 2026. “We’re working on renewing Frenkie de Jong’s contract. For sure he’s very excited to stay and we’re absolutely determined to do whatever it takes to ensure he stays,” the 62-year-old added. While Barcelona are working to keep De Jong in Catalonia, La Blaugrana are supposedly prepared to listen to offers for as many as eight players in the summer transfer window.
