Frenkie de Jong has suggested he will leave Barcelona if he does not get more playing time.
The Netherlands international remains a marginal figure under coach Hansi Flick, as he struggles to overcome the effects of a long-term ankle problem.
De Jong has made just eight appearances this season and did not come off the bench in recent defeats to Leganes and Atletico Madrid which hampered the club's bid for the La Liga title.
This was another sign that Flick does not have much confidence in the former Ajax midfielder, whose contract expires in June 2026.
He could leave in a price-cutting deal
Reports in Spain have suggested that cash-strapped Barcelona will accept up to €20m for the 27-year-old at the end of this season, and De Jong admits his willingness to sign a new deal depends solely on his involvement over the coming months.
Speaking in an interview with Voetbal International, he said: “Renewing my contract is a topic for the newspapers here, but not for me. I want to play football and then I will see what the club wants to do with me and then I will decide what I want to do with my agent and my family.
“People think I want to stay at Barcelona forever because life outside of football is very good here, which is good, but it's still less important than what happens on the pitch. If I feel like I can't contribute enough, or if the team can't compete… , I will leave.
Barcelona period was disappointing – De Jong
De Jong joined Barcelona in the summer of 2019, and admitted it didn't quite go to plan.
He added: “I must admit that when I signed for Barcelona I did not imagine that I would only win the Spanish League title, the King’s Cup and the Spanish Super Cup four years later.
“I was expecting at least double that, and I was disappointed. Things happen and they are unpredictable.”
