Juventus eye Frenkie de Jong in January as Flick tension rises
Juventus have earmarked January as the window to sign Barcelona captain Frenkie de Jong, a move driven by a deteriorating relationship with coach Hansi Flick and the Dutchman's prolonged knee recovery. The Turin club prefers to wait for medical clearance rather than rush the deal, while Barcelona grapple with squad reshuffle and salary pressures.
Juventus' January plan
Según reports from Italia, La Juventus have placed the winter transfer window as the moment to attempt the signing of Frenkie de Jong. The Turin club said it will not force the operation now, preferring to wait until the Barcelona midfielder completes recovery from a serious knee ligament rupture and receives medical clearance in January. The plan aligns with the Dutchman's timetable, as the club's medical bulletin on 23 July confirmed an internal lateral knee ligament tear requiring three to four months out.
The article, marked with the word Compartir, notes that De Jong, 29, is under contract with FC Barcelona until 2029 and draws the highest salary on the Blaugrana payroll at €19.6 million gross per year. Periodista deportivo, which published the piece on 22 August 2026, reported that the eventual transfer fee will hinge on how much Barça agrees to cut from his wage bill and on the physical response of his knee upon return.
Barcelona's internal challenges
Barcelona have already filled the midfield void by signing Rodri, who is expected to take the pivot from day one for FC Barcelona, while Marc Bernal continues to develop as an alternative option. De Jong's relationship with Hansi Flick has soured; the German coach could drop him as soon as the market permits, a tension highlighted when Flick made the player travel to England while still injured during the pre‑season stage. The move surprised the dressing room, highlighting the growing rift between player and coach. The discord was evident at the Joan Gamper Trophy squad presentation, where the player received whistles, underscoring the strained atmosphere in the dressing room.
The midfielder also lost weight after being pushed by the Netherlands at the World Cup, where he featured against Morocco despite knee discomfort. Keeping him would mean Barcelona shoulder a €19.6 million salary without guaranteed fitness, whereas selling him in January would provide immediate wage relief and ease the locker‑room tension with Flick.
El Juventus have taken a clear stance, leaving the next step dependent on the condition of De Jong's knee. The Barça medical report indicated De Jong could be back between November and the opening of the winter market.