Barcelona’s imminent signing could cast doubts over club captain’s future – report

Barcelona’s imminent signing could cast doubts over club captain’s future – report Rodri’s expected arrival at FC Barcelona has created an entirely new scenario in the club’s midfield. Several factors have helped drive the move for the Manchester City ace, including Marc Casado’s expected departure and Frenkie de Jong’s knee injury, which has dramatically altered the outlook in midfield. Now, according to SPORT , De Jong could become the biggest casualty of Rodri’s arrival, both in the short and long term. The Dutchman risks losing his place in the starting XI altogether, leaving his future at the club far more uncertain than it appeared just a few weeks ago. Injury setback changes everything Barcelona’s pre-season took an unexpected turn when De Jong arrived back at the training ground carrying a knee injury sustained during his holidays. The situation caused significant frustration within the club, particularly for Flick, who struggled to understand how the midfielder had continued playing during the closing stages of the World Cup despite already dealing with the problem. Injured at the World Cup. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) There was anger directed both at the Netherlands national team and at the player himself, with the Catalans suddenly losing the midfielder they had expected to start the season as their first-choice. Surgery still remains a possibility Medical examinations revealed a tear to the medial collateral ligament in De Jong’s right knee. Internally, surgery was initially considered the preferred option, with an estimated recovery period of around four months. Instead, both the player and the club opted for a conservative treatment programme, expected to last roughly two months. However, there is still no certainty that this approach will fully resolve the issue. Should the knee fail to stabilise, surgery may become unavoidable, opening the door to another complicated situation. Rodri changes the midfield hierarchy Whether surgery becomes necessary or not, De Jong will not be available for Barcelona’s opening league fixtures. Rodri, meanwhile, is expected to arrive fully fit after a minor back procedure that requires little recovery time. The Spanish international would become an immediate starter in the role De Jong has typically occupied. Rodri’s arrival changes things. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images) Alongside him, Pedri is virtually guaranteed a place in midfield, while Flick generally prefers a more attacking third midfielder, usually Dani Olmo or Fermin Lopez. Competition does not stop there. Marc Bernal, long viewed as one of Barcelona’s biggest midfield prospects, naturally occupies the same position as Rodri, while Gavi is also capable of playing in a deeper role. With so many options available, finding regular minutes for De Jong could become increasingly difficult once he returns. Contract secured, but questions remain De Jong only recently extended his Barcelona contract until 2029, bringing an end to lengthy negotiations that also saw him part ways with his long-time agent. Throughout the process, the Dutch international consistently expressed his desire to remain at the club, rejecting multiple opportunities to leave. Now, however, circumstances have changed. With Rodri arriving, fierce competition in midfield and a significant salary on Barcelona’s wage bill, De Jong’s long-term future becomes one of the club’s biggest unresolved questions. If regular playing time becomes scarce, both player and club may eventually be forced to reconsider their positions in the near future.