Barcelona not ruling out January sale of midfielder returning from injury – report

Barcelona not ruling out January sale of midfielder returning from injury – report Frenkie de Jong has returned to training with the FC Barcelona first team after a lengthy spell on the sidelines. The Dutch midfielder suffered an injury during the last World Cup and tests revealed a tear to the medial collateral ligament in his right knee.  De Jong opted for conservative treatment, which kept him out of action for three and a half months. He is now approaching a return , but his situation at Barcelona has changed considerably during his absence.  He ended last season as an undisputed starter alongside Pedri in the double pivot for Hansi Flick. Regaining that status, however, will be difficult. Barcelona strengthened the position during the summer by signing Rodri. The move had not initially been planned, but the club recognised a market opportunity and was already aware of De Jong’s injury at the time.  A possible exit cannot be ruled out As such, MARCA now reports that if De Jong regularly finds himself outside the starting line-up, his future at Barcelona could become a major talking point. What does the future hold for De Jong? (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) At 29, he is a player who would expect to be a regular starter for whichever club he represents.  As such, a departure cannot be ruled out, despite the fact that he renewed his Barcelona contract until 2029 exactly a year ago. An exit during the January transfer window could even become a possibility if his role in the team remains limited.  Barcelona would not necessarily oppose a sale, particularly given the midfielder’s substantial salary. Much will depend on how De Jong responds after returning from injury and whether he can convince Flick that he still deserves a prominent role in the side. Competition for places in midfield Since arriving in the summer, Rodri has now become an undisputed starter alongside Pedri. De Jong will have to prove himself if he is to displace either player from the starting line-up.  Competition for the two midfield positions is also fierce, with Gavi and Bernal providing further options. Brian Farinas is waiting for his opportunity as well, making De Jong’s route back into the team particularly challenging.  A permanent fixture in midfield. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) The Dutchman will therefore need to make the most of his return to training and demonstrate that he can compete for a regular place in Flick’s side.  Could De Jong play at centre-back? There has been speculation that Flick could use De Jong as a centre-back. However, this appears more likely to be an emergency option than a permanent solution.  The German coach is very happy with Pau Cubarsi and Gerard Martin as his starters, while Eric Garcia is another trusted option for the manager. A change of position could offer De Jong another route into the team, but there is currently little indication that Barcelona view him as a long-term solution at centre-back. Therefore, come January, there could be a scenario where the Dutchman might seek other avenues, amid reports of interest from Chelsea and Manchester United , with Barcelona themselves not ruling out the possibility of a sale.