Barcelona are yet to begin discussions with midfielder Frenkie de Jong over a new contract, according to a report.
The Netherlands international has remained loyal to La Blaugrana despite persistent interest from Manchester United, who tried in vain to sign him throughout the summer 2022 window.
The Red Devils were believed to have agreed a fee with Barca at one stage, as Erik ten Hag desperately tried to reunite with one of his former Ajax wonderkids, but De Jong had no interest in an exit.
Fleeting links with a move to Old Trafford this year also led to nowhere, and De Jong remains an integral part of Xavi's team, playing every minute of their 2023-24 La Liga campaign so far.
The 26-year-old has already scored once in five matches for the Spanish champions this season, and his contract does not expire until the summer of 2026, but a renewal has apparently been on Barca's agenda for some time.
De Jong has not extended his deal with Barca since October 2020, when Josep Maria Bartomeu was the Blaugrana's president, and he is thought to have agreed to a salary reduction to help alleviate the club's coronavirus-induced financial crisis.
However, during last year's protracted transfer saga, Barcelona supposedly wanted to annul De Jong's terms on the grounds of alleged criminality from Bartomeu, although the threat of legal action led to nowhere.
Now, the La Liga title holders are thought to be planning talks over an extension for De Jong, but according to Marca, the club are yet to open talks with the Dutchman.
Furthermore, De Jong - despite affirming his commitment to Barcelona on numerous occasions - is not thought to be in any rush to sign on the dotted line either, given his existing long-running deal and late payments he is owed.
De Jong also agreed to defer part of his salary while the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked more havoc on Barcelona's accounts, and he is allegedly set to receive a whopping €27m (£23.3m) this season alone.
Barcelona's economic situation is not as dire as it once was, but the Blaugrana would still be unable to satisfy De Jong's wage demands, and an agreement is not anticipated in the near future.
Barca shelled out £74.1m to bring De Jong to the club from Ajax in 2019, and the midfielder now has 16 goals and 21 assists to show from 188 appearances in Catalonian colours.
De Jong won his first Spanish top-flight title with the Blaugrana last season, while he also has a Copa del Rey and Supercopa de Espana title to show from his efforts in Spain.
Barcelona have already tied five players down to new deals this term, including goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who committed his future to the club until 2028 earlier this summer.
Fermin Lopez (2027) and Inaki Pena (2026) have also committed to new terms, while Marcos Alonso and Sergi Roberto's deals were extended until the end of the current campaign. body check tags ::
