Frenkie de Jong’s fitness has been an enigma at Barcelona, even as the club enjoys a stupendous start to the new season.
The Catalans have won four back-to-back matches in La Liga this season without the services of de Jong, who has been advised to undergo surgery amid issues with his ankle.
It is uncertain when exactly de Jong will return from his injury, but the Dutchman’s long-term future at Barcelona remains unsure.
De Jong’s strained relationship with Laporta
To add to it, Frenkie de Jong’s relationship with FC Barcelona’s president, Joan Laporta, appears to be anything but smooth, reports Diario SPORT.
The Dutch midfielder apparently harbours a strong dislike for Laporta, believing that the president has always wanted him out of the club.
The strained relationship seems rooted in the fact that de Jong was a signing of former president Josep Maria Bartomeu, which may have influenced Laporta’s perceived coldness towards him.
Additionally, De Jong lacks a ‘friendly agent’ like Jorge Mendes or Pini Zahavi, who have significant influence in Barcelona’s corridors of power.
The situation escalated when Deco, Barcelona’s sporting director, allegedly offered de Jong to various European clubs.
Despite this, de Jong remained firm in his decision to stay at the Camp Nou, refusing any transfer moves.
It appears that de Jong has closed the door on any proposal coming from Barcelona’s offices, perhaps feeling that the club’s management has never genuinely supported him.
The coming few months, therefore, could prove to be critical in the context of de Jong’s relationship with Barcelona, especially as the midfielder looks to get back to full fitness.
