FC Barcelona‘s performance on the pitch is unquestionable. Since Hansi Flick‘s arrival at FC Barcelona, the team’s growth has been exponential. The Catalans are enjoying an unbeatable 2025, thanks to their great attacking form and a Szczesny who has become an insurmountable wall.
Since the beginning of the year, the German coach has gone 19 games unbeaten. In those 19 games, the balance is 16 wins and three draws. The goals scored by Hansi Flick’s team so far this season, more than 130, are distributed as follows: 78 goals in LaLiga EA Sports, 32 goals in the UEFA Champions League, being the team with the most goals so far in this edition of the tournament, 18 in the Copa del Rey and seven in the Spanish Super Cup.
These figures have made Barça the team in the major European leagues that has most improved its goal-scoring records from one season to the next. At this stage of the league season (with 28 matchdays played) Xavi’s players had scored 54 goals. Flick’s side have now accumulated 77 goals. That’s 23 more goals compared to the same stage last season.
In addition to the figures, many players have improved their performances since the German coach arrived at Barça. Take, for example, Raphinha and his Ballon d’Or numbers when in the summer there were talks of selling him, the magic that Peddri has recovered or the great performance of his partner in crime, Frenkie de Jong.
De Jong’s uncertain future at Barça
De Jong’s future at Barça has been in the news for months. The situation has been changing until now, when a renewal seems to be the chosen option. Deco met with the Dutchman’s agent, Ali Dursun, on February 19th and presented him with a new renewal proposal.
A proposal that would include three seasons, but without an increase in the player’s current salary. His current emoluments are around 18-19 million gross per year. It has also been reported that they want to include an affordable buy-out clause in his new contract, around 80 million euros. As well as various bonuses to increase his salary. If he performs, he gets paid more.
If De Jong does not renew between now and July, the board will opt to put him on the market, a stance it applies to all players approaching the final year of their contract. Several teams have their eye on the Dutchman. In the Premier League, Liverpool and Arsenal are interested, as well as Manchester United and City.
However, the greatest temptation would come from Arab football. Al-Ittihad are willing to improve their bid for Frenkie de Jong. The latest reports indicate a new offer from the Saudi team in the region of 50 million euros.
Flick’s replacement
With doubts about the near future of Frenkie de Jong at Barça, the Azulgrana have set their sights on Serie A where Hansi Flick has begun to closely follow in the footsteps of Tijjani Reijnders, the star midfielder of AC Milan. Flick believes that the best option to replace the Dutchman is to be found in the same country as his player, so he intends to sign the Netherlands-born midfielder.
Reijnders has a contract until 2030, which could complicate his departure for less than 60-70 million euros. In addition to Barça, other clubs such as Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham are also interested in Reijnders. The Zwolle player has scored 13 goals in 42 games (3,514 minutes) with the Lombardy team, a remarkable figure for a defensive midfielder.