Frenkie De Jong’s Barcelona future in doubt as club prioritise Rodri, Pedri and Bernal

Frenkie de Jong’s long-term future at Barcelona has come under renewed scrutiny following his return from injury, with the club reportedly prioritising other midfield options.

According to Barca Universal, citing SPORT, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick continues to appreciate the Dutchman’s technical qualities, but the club wants Rodri, Pedri and academy graduate Marc Bernal to form the foundation of its midfield.

De Jong recently returned after recovering from a knee injury sustained during the World Cup, although disagreements over his treatment reportedly strained relations with the club. Barcelona subsequently pursued Manchester City midfielder Rodri amid uncertainty surrounding De Jong’s recovery, increasing competition for places.

Gavi is also competing for opportunities, while Flick has reportedly experimented with deploying De Jong at centre-back amid defensive injury problems. The next two months could prove crucial in determining the midfielder’s future.

Limited playing time could strengthen the possibility of a departure, although any transfer would depend on De Jong’s willingness to consider offers and the club’s sporting and financial priorities.