Barcelona are reportedly planning to finalise a contract renewal with Frenkie de Jong in January.
The 26-year-old still has another three years left to run on his current deal, but the Catalan outfit are said to be determined to sign him to an extension.
De Jong has been a key player for the La Liga champions this season, featuring on seven occasions, scoring once, but he was absent against Mallorca last time out due to injury.
The Netherlands international is facing six weeks out with the ankle problem that he suffered against Celta Vigo on September 23.
There has again recently been speculation surrounding De Jong's future, with Manchester United still said to be interested in his signature, having chased him for much of the 2022 summer window.
A recent report claimed that the Red Devils are planning to make another attempt to sign the former Ajax youngster in the summer of 2024, with the English club's head coach Erik ten Hag a huge admirer.
However, De Jong recently said that he is "happy" at Camp Nou and confirmed that his agent was in discussions with Barcelona over a new deal.
"My contract renewal? My agent is taking care of that, but I'm happy here," he told reporters following Barcelona's recent Champions League win over Royal Antwerp.
According to Sport, Barcelona's new sporting director Deco has met with the midfielder to discuss a contract renewal at the club, which could be concluded by January.
The report claims that Deco views De Jong as a vital player at Camp Nou both now and in the future, and the midfielder has been told to put what occurred in 2022 behind him.
Barcelona are believed to have agreed to sell De Jong to Man United amid their financial problems, but the ex-Ajax youngster continued to insist that he was happy with the Catalan side.
De Jong made the move to Camp Nou in the summer of 2019, and he has represented the club on 190 occasions, scoring 16 goals and registering 21 assists in the process.
Barcelona will again be missing the Dutchman for Friday's clash with Sevilla, while Pedri remains on the sidelines with a thigh problem.
A win for Xavi's side against the Europa League holders would take them back to the top of the La Liga table. body check tags ::
