Deco’s next big challenge: Rebuilding bridges with Barcelona superstar’s camp – report

Since taking over as the sporting director of FC Barcelona this past summer, Deco has had to face several challenges and navigate tricky waters in the transfer market.

Ultimately, with the aid of Mateu Alemany, who is no longer at the club, Deco was able to complete a successful window that saw the arrival of some top players and the exit of unwanted players as well.

With the transfer window over, Deco, who now has full authority over the matters of transfers and contracts, will have a fresh challenge ahead of him.

Repairing relations between Barça and Frenkie de Jong

Indeed, as per Toni Juanmarti of SPORT, the sporting director’s next big challenge will be to help rebuild the bridges between Barcelona and the camp of Frenkie de Jong.

Ever since the club made major attempts to offload the Netherlands international during the summer transfer window of 2022, the relationship between the club administration and the player, and his entourage has been affected.

It must be remembered that Barça were pushing de Jong to accept a move to Manchester United back in 2022, while his contract details were also leaked to the media to put pressure on the midfielder.

Given the club’s financial situation, the midfielder’s bumper contract was an impediment in achieving Financial Fair Play and as such attempts were made to move him on.

Having withstood all of that, the Dutchman is now one of the most in-form players at Barcelona and is seen as an ‘untouchable’ in Xavi’s setup.

De Jong’s contract runs until 2026 and so far the Blaugrana have made no attempts to ask him to reduce his salary since last year.

At the same time, they wish to begin talks over a new deal for the former Ajax star starting in 2024 when he will have two years left on his deal.

Alemany’s exit could be a boon

Deco is now in charge of smoothing things over between the club and the player’s camp so that contract negotiations can go ahead without any hindrances.

To that end, Mateu Alemany’s exit could help as per the report, as De Jong’s entourage believe that the Spaniard was the major driving force behind the club’s attempts to offload him last year.

There is no movement on this front thus far and all parties are calm, but there is a feeling within the club that despite De Jong’s happiness his camp could delay renewal talks as revenge for what went down last year.

As such, it will be up to Deco to rebuild bridges and ensure that the talks, when they do begin, move forward with no impediments.