Renew or leave: Barcelona send clear message to star duo amidst extension standoff | OneFootball

Barcelona’s focus on securing long-term commitments from their players has taken a serious turn, with recent reports suggesting that both Ronald Araujo and Frenkie de Jong find themselves in a delicate situation.

According to AS, the club has made it clear that if these two key players do not extend their contracts before the season concludes, they will be placed on the transfer market.

This decision underscores Barcelona’s determination to prioritise financial stability and long-term planning over sentimentality, something that is extremely important as their contracts end in 2026.

Tah’s signing crucial

The potential signing of Jonathan Tah, who could arrive on a free transfer from Bayer Leverkusen, adds another layer of complexity to Araujo’s future at the club.

With Tah’s arrival, Barcelona would have an additional high-quality option in defence, making Araujo’s renewal less of a pressing issue.

Ronald Araujo and Frenkie de Jong now face an uncertain future at Barcelona. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, players like Andreas Christensen and Eric Garcia have garnered attention for their consistent performances, shifting the spotlight away from Araujo.

Despite his desire to stay, negotiations over Araujo’s contract have stalled. The club initially prioritised extending his deal, but recent developments have reduced the urgency.

Factors such as recurring physical problems, and rumours of interest from other clubs have diminished the pressure to finalise his renewal.

Additionally, the emergence of young talents like Pau Cubarsi and the experience of Inigo Martinez has further eased the club’s reliance on Araujo.

For Barcelona, the situation is clear: if Araujo wishes to remain at the club, he must accept the economic constraints imposed by their financial reality.

Otherwise, the summer transfer window could see him depart. The same applies to Frenkie de Jong, as the club has publicly indicated that neither player will feature in their plans for the 2025-26 season without renewed contracts.