The bottom line between two Barcelona senior executives Laporta and Deco: Players with only one year left in the contract cannot stay in the team

According to Spanish media reports, Barcelona president Laporta and sports director Deco have reached an agreement that the team will never allow any player with only one year left to enter the new season roster. This principle has become the "red line" of the club in transfer operations. In December last year, Laporta clearly warned Frenki de Jong and Ronald Araujo that they must complete the contract renewal before June 30 this year, otherwise they will not be able to start the new season with the team. He also reiterated this position in an interview with TV3: "We don't like to keep players with only one year's contract left in the team."

Uruguayan central defender Araujo was close to leaving the team (the winter transfer market almost joined Juventus), but in the end he completed the contract renewal and the new contract was extended to 2031. However, it is still possible to do some operations around him this summer.

Why can't players with only one year's contract be kept?

Laporta and Deco believe that it is "counterproductive" to stay players in this situation. Because from January 1 of the following year, these players will be free to contact foreign clubs and may join their competitors as free agents - whether in La Liga or the Champions League.

This is especially dangerous for players of a level like De Jong. "The situation in De Jong is very urgent," Laporta admitted.

However, Barcelona is very optimistic about the prospect of renewal of the Dutch midfielder. Since recovering from an ankle injury, De Jong has become a key figure in Hans Flick's tactical system again. Laporta said: "His career situation has changed a lot in recent months, and we have talked a lot. We hope he stays and he is the core of this reconstruction project."

Deco also expressed a similar view in the interview: "We should stop talking about past issues, he has done nothing wrong. He has shown his top level, is fully committed to the team, and is full of motivation. I think the outside world is not fair enough to him. He is a future-oriented player. As long as an agreement is reached, we will complete the renewal."

At present, in addition to De Jong, there are several players in Barcelona who will expire in 2026, and their future needs to be finalized as soon as possible.

Eric Garcia: In excellent form, Flick wants to keep people

Another person facing contract problems is defender Eric Garcia. The young centreback from Martorel is in a hot state at the end of the season, and coach Flick hopes he will remain with the team next season.

Garcia is not only competent in the central defender position, but also plays a guest right-back and even a defensive midfielder, becoming an important candidate for the team's all-rounders.

Christensen: There is a offer or release

Danish central defender Andreas Christensen will also expire in 2026. Although he has just recovered from an Achilles tendon injury, he may still be sold this summer, provided he receives a suitable offer.

It is worth mentioning that Christensen joined Barcelona as a free agent, so the club is open to his departure. But he himself hopes to stay and looks forward to a conversation with Deco and Flick. If he decides to stay, he must first complete the renewal with the club. Veteran Inigo Martinez is expected to renew another year

In addition, Laporta also plans to extend the contract for 34-year-old central defender Inigo Martinez to extend his contract from the original 2026 to 2027.

Although Martinez automatically activates the one-year renewal clause with his appearances, club executives still want to give him an additional one year contract to recognize his contribution to the team, especially his important role under Flick.

Youth Training Teenagers: Locking in the future ahead of schedule

As for several youth training new stars in the team, including Mark Bernard, Hector Ford and Yamal, they all signed with the club until 2026. However, once they are over 18 years old, their contracts will be automatically extended to 2029.

Among them, Yamal's situation will be different, and his economic terms will be renegotiated based on performance and market value.

Other players whose contracts are about to expire

Currently in Barcelona's first team, the following players will expire in 2026:

Iniyaki Peña (goalkeeper)

The run away is almost a foregone conclusion. With almost no main opportunity and the salary structure limitation, the club may directly allow him to leave the team freely.

Pablo Torres (midfielder)

Barcelona needs to decide whether to renew his contract and rent a workout, or choose to sell and retain part of the second transfer share. The club must first confirm whether he has the potential to play for the first team in the future.

Barcelona management is fully promoting the contract renewal work to ensure that there is no hidden danger of "only one year left in the contract" in the new season's lineup. Whether it is core players such as De Jong or youth training rookies, they need to be clear about their stay this summer. Only in this way can the club maintain a stable lineup, competitive competitiveness and financial health, laying a solid foundation for Hans Flick's new cycle plan.