Overview

• De Jong’s contract with Barcelona expires in summer 2026, enabling him to sign a pre-contract agreement with Arsenal from January under FIFA transfer regulations.
• Manager Mikel Arteta views the 28-year-old Dutch international as a near-perfect complement to new signing Martin Zubimendi and a boost to midfield depth.
• Barcelona have delayed renewal negotiations by demanding significant wage concessions to comply with La Liga’s salary-cap rules.
• A dispute over agent commissions, reportedly involving Ali Dursun, has further complicated De Jong’s contract extension talks at Camp Nou.
• All reports are based on transfer outlets and unnamed sources, meaning any move remains unconfirmed until formal announcements emerge.