The 2024 summer transfer window closed with FC Barcelona making only two additions to their squad, Dani Olmo and Pau Victor. There were also some notable exits from the Blaugrana squad, as Ilkay Gundogan, Oriol Romeu, Joao Felix, and Joao Cancelo all left.
But even with the market now closed, the Catalans continue to work on their task of strengthening the squad.
In this regard, Mundo Deportivo reports that the main objective of Barcelona now is to renew the contracts of some of their most important players, including Pedri Gonzalez, Ronald Araujo, Frenkie de Jong, Fermin Lopez, and Marc Bernal.
Bernal’s renewal will require the least amount of work from the Catalan club, as everything is already in line for the youngster to sign his first first-team contract, even though he is currently out with an injury that can take a full year to recover from.
This new contract will expire in 2026, and will also have three more optional years, but he cannot sign a contract longer than three years before he turns 18.
Similarly, there has already been some news of talks ongoing between Pedri and Barcelona for a renewal. His current contract goes till 2026, and he is already emerging as an integral piece for Hansi Flick’s midfield.
Furthermore, there was also a meeting between Deco and Fermin Lopez’s agent back in August. The Catalans are looking to renew his contract till 2029, while also increasing his salary and also putting in some performance-related bonuses in his new contract.
The hardest tasks for Barcelona will be the renewal of Frenkie de Jong and Ronald Araujo, two important players with contracts till 2026, but neither of them looking too keen on a renewal.
Araujo’s agents met Deco back in February, but almost half a year later, no progress has been made on this front, even after Laporta personally got involved in this operation.
The defender is currently recovering from a hamstring injury to his right thigh and is expected to remain unavailable till November. If he does not reach an agreement by next summer, Barcelona can also look to sell him in 2025.
There is a similar case with Frenkie de Jong, who also received an offer last November, but one which offered him wages lower than what he is currently earning with the club. He has been facing ankle-related problems for some time, but Barcelona, who are the main party pushing for an agreement, are confident he can get over these issues.
