Barcelona's transfer plans stall until Frenkie de Jong recovers

Barcelona are anxiously awaiting an update on midfielder Frenkie de Jong’s fitness before making any transfer decisions, as his knee injury has unnecessarily complicated the club’s preparations for the new season and left them still desperate for a new number nine.

The absence of de Jong in midfield heightens urgency because Barcelona have already identified a shortage of a central striker and must now address a potential gap in the middle of the park.

Various midfielders have been linked with the Catalan giants, yet each potential signing is contingent on how quickly de Jong can return to full training.

Diario SPORT reported that de Jong opted for conservative treatment after the World Cup when examinations revealed a rupture of the medial lateral ligament in his right knee.

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Should the chosen therapy prove successful, the Dutch international could be back within weeks, pain‑free and able to train with the squad.

Conversely, if the treatment fails, surgery could sideline de Jong for four months or longer.

The timing is critical because the effectiveness of the treatment will not be known for several weeks, and the transfer window closes on September 1, limiting Barcelona’s ability to secure a replacement unless the player is a free agent.

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Rodri has been mentioned as a possible target, although he appears to favour Real Madrid, while Girona’s Azzedine Ounahi is cited as a more affordable alternative; both options are hampered by financial fair‑play constraints and Real Madrid’s advantage.

Given the uncertainty, Barcelona may also look inward to promising young talents, but for now the club can only wait and hope de Jong’s recovery proceeds as planned, a factor that will dictate whether they pursue external signings or rely on internal options.