FC Barcelona have laid out a roadmap to renew several star players whose contracts expire in 2024.
Getty ImagesFC Barcelona have laid out a roadmap to renew several star players whose contracts expire in 2026 according to Mundo Deportivo.
On Saturday, the same Catalan newspaper reported that Barca have already decided they need four signings in 2024.
A left and right back are both required, in addition to two midfielders – even though head coach Xavi Hernandez would like at least two players for every position.
Barca’s financial struggles mean that this isn’t possible and compromises have to be made.
With this in mind, sporting director Deco has also laid out a roadmap to renew the contracts of several star players who would be impossible to replace, or whom Barca would struggle to afford out on the market when competing against the might of Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.
The club has already pulled off a coup by renewing Marc-Andre ter Stegen until 2028. Though he suffered a slump in form at the turn of the decade, the German took the summer off from international duty in 2022 and swiftly returned to being one of the world’s best goalkeepers last term with a joint-record 22 clean sheets as Barca won La Liga.
Deco would like to get Frenkie de Jong tied down as well, which is the next port of call for the Barca 2000s legend in this area.
After that, Deco will then focus on three other crucial players to Xavi’s cause who, like De Jong as things stand, can move on in 2026 free of charge.
Namely, they are Spain internationals Pedri and Gavi plus defender Ronald Araujo.
All three men have €1 billion ($1.05 billion) release clauses attached to their current deals, but would be available for a reduced fee in 2025 and then nothing at all 12 months down the line.
Their contract expiries coincide with when president Joan Laporta’s mandate ends. And if the club’s current leader wasn’t re-elected in elections at the beginning of the year in question, he could at least leave behind a legacy by renewing these star players in addition to unveiling the renovated Spotify Camp Nou.
With Gavi still a teenager, Pedri 20 and Araujo 24, the trio still have their best years to offer to the Blaugrana which should be played in Barca’s colors.