In the sports management of FC Barcelona, despite the daily focus seemingly centered on several planned signings to strengthen the squad, there is also full awareness that there are several important matters that need to be addressed regarding the renewal of several key players who are currently part of the team and play an important role in the culé roster.
Recently, from Barcelona, contrasting perspectives have been expressed regarding the renewal of the contracts of Ronald Araújo and Frenkie de Jong. The Uruguayan seems increasingly inclined to extend his link with the club, while the future of the Dutch player as a blue and garnet seems to be shrouded in greater uncertainty at the moment.
Now, the names that have been brought to the table are those of two standout young prospects from the Barcelona team, whose contracts with the club expire in 2026: Pedri González and Pablo Gavi. An agreement with these two players is expected to be reached before the year ends.
How does Barcelona view the renewal of Pedri González?
Regarding the renewal of Pedri González, one of the players who, under Hansi Flick and thanks to being injury-free, has managed to step up this 2024-25 season, standing out as one of the best players of Barcelona and offering exceptional performance either as an attacking midfielder or central midfielder, the club has a very positive perception. At least, that’s how Deco expressed it in a recent interview with 'Mundo Deportivo':
"I believe that Pedri's renewal will happen because I think Pedri wants to make history in the club, he feels comfortable here, he is happy, he wants to win titles, and he is back at his best level after working hard," commented the Portuguese executive.
At this point, Deco hinted that the renewal of Pedri González is likely to be addressed at the end of this season. "We will handle the renewal; he has this season and one more to go. We are focused on winning important things this season, but also on securing the future of important players, and Pedri is one of them," he commented.
How does Barcelona view the renewal of Gavi?
In that same vein, Deco, in his interview with 'MD', also expressed great prospects regarding the renewal of Gavi, whom he initially praised by saying: "Gavi embodies everything that Barça is".
In this context, the Barcelona executive seems convinced that the Andalusian will extend his link with the club sooner rather than later. "As a player, at 20 years old, having what Gavi has in this club, I would like to be here for the next few years. I imagine he must think that way. We as a club, and I, while I am here, want the time he spends here to be spent helping to create something good, and I want to see Gavi here for many more years," said the Portuguese.
On the other hand, Deco made it clear that the future of this negotiation will depend on the player's wishes. "Of course, negotiations involve two parties, but going back to what I said before, when a player wants to, it always happens. It all depends on what he wants, and I imagine that Gavi, just like Pedri, wants to be at Barça," he concluded.
The culé club plans to extend both players' contracts with the institution until 2029
Now it will be interesting to see how both renewals unfold, as, according to the newspaper 'SPORT', Barcelona seems to want to extend the contracts of both players until 2029, keeping them contractually protected and preserving their release clauses intact to deter interest from other teams, as has been done with other young prospects from the academy such as Pau Cubarsí, Fermín López, among others.