Frenkie de Jong is hopeful he will soon reach an agreement with Barcelona over a new deal to stay with the club.
The midfielder is out of contract at the end of next season and, after a 2024-25 campaign that was affected by an ankle injury suffered last April, it had been expected he would leave the Blaugrana.
But De Jong now appears poised set to stay with Barca and attempt to earn more playing time after making just 23 starts in all competitions as Barcelona won LaLiga and the Copa del Rey.
Barca also reached the semi-finals of the Champions League, only to lose an epic last-four clash to Inter Milan after extra time in the second leg.
“I want it [a new deal], and so does the club, so an agreement is usually reached. I hope it’s soon,” De Jong told UEFA TV.
Assessing his performance in a hugely successful season for Hansi Flick’s side, De Jong expressed his belief that he was better in 2023-24 prior to the ankle injury.
“This wasn’t my best year. People like to exaggerate. Of course, I was out for quite a while with that ankle injury, but I played well before that too,” De Jong added.
“The big difference is that we have a better team now, and it shows. Personally, I even think I was in my best form the season before my injury.
“But yes, when you win all the titles in Spain in one year and reach the Champions League semi-finals, you’re simply singled out even more.”
