Barcelona begin work on contract renewals beyond 2026, two players seen as priority

Barcelona are actively working to secure the club’s future by renewing contracts for several key players whose contracts expire in 2026, reports Toni Juanmarti in SPORT.

The sporting department, under Deco’s watchful eyes, is focused on players whose contracts will expire in 2026.

It is said that Barcelona are committed to addressing these contract renewals well ahead of time. The club understands the importance of proactive negotiations to avoid the complications that arise when contracts are nearing expiration.

The objective is clear: no player should begin a season with a contract set to expire at the end of that season.

If any player chooses not to extend their contract, Barcelona would prefer to negotiate a transfer a year prior, as waiting until they are closer to free agency limits the club’s negotiating power.

Yamal and Pedri are priorities

For young talent Lamine Yamal, the club recognises the need to revisit his contract before it officially ends in 2026. Although he initially signed a deal until 2026, the club is aware that his outstanding performances on the pitch necessitate a reassessment of his terms.

Negotiations for Yamal are expected to commence before the end of 2024, but they may prove challenging due to his rising market value and the interest from other clubs. If they want to keep him, the club will need to significantly increase his salary.

Similarly, after overcoming past injuries, Pedri has returned to form and is now considered essential by coach Hansi Flick in midfield. His market value currently stands at €80 million, and the club views him as a pivotal figure for the team’s future.

Deco has already initiated discussions with Pedri’s representatives, laying the groundwork for what promises to be a challenging negotiation, especially since his buyout clause is set at €1 billion.

Other La Masia talents

Meanwhile, Barcelona are making strides in renewing Marc Bernal’s contract, with plans to increase his salary despite some recent injuries that may prevent him from reaching performance-related bonuses.

Fermin Lopez is another player in line for a contract extension. After a standout season, the club intends to reward him with a pay rise and a new deal that will extend his current contract, which runs until 2027.

Furthermore, Gerard Martin, whose contract ends in 2025, is also in line for a renewal. Although Barcelona have an option to extend his contract unilaterally, there have already been discussions that indicate a significant step towards a new agreement.

Complex discussions

However, the situations of De Jong and Ronald Araujo are more complex. Both players have expressed their desire to remain with the club, but negotiations are still in their infancy, and the parties have different views on the terms.

While Barcelona are eager to extend their contracts, it remains to be seen whether a compromise can be reached, especially as both players have specific financial expectations.

Lastly, in the case of Andreas Christensen, the club is pleased with his contributions and is open to extending his contract past 2026.

However, there are no ongoing negotiations as the club assesses various factors, including his current fitness issues and potential offers from other teams.