Arsenal have Frenkie de Jong ‘s name marked in red for the upcoming summer transfer window, when his current contract with FC Barcelona expires .

Mikel Arteta is a big fan of the 28-year-old Dutch midfielder’s playing style, who is coming off a great season under Hansi Flick and would be an ideal addition to the Gunners.

Frenkie de Jong ‘s contract situation is generating excitement in London, as he could become a free agent in 2026 and his continued presence at Camp Nou is not guaranteed.

Arteta sees Frenkie de Jong as a perfect complement to the midfield, which already includes Martín Zubimendi , Martin Odegaard , and Declan Rice .

His ability to distribute the ball, break lines, and maintain control in demanding matches makes him a difficult profile to find on the market.

The Spanish coach has built a solid midfield, but is looking to expand his rotation to compete at the highest level in the Premier League and Champions League.

FC Barcelona wants to extend the player’s contract, which expires in 2026, but to do so requires him to accept a significant pay cut.

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Furthermore, the Dutchman is seeking to separate his current agent, Ali Dursun, with whom he remains under contract until the same date.

These factors have complicated the negotiations and opened the door to a debate about whether his future will depend on remaining as the leader of the Blaugrana midfield or seeking a new challenge outside of Spain.

Last season, Frenkie de Jong played more than 40 competitive matches, standing out for his reliability in passing and his ability to sustain play in transitions. His stats and international experience make him a top-level player, valued by clubs seeking decisive players at the elite level.

Sources close to Arsenal say the London club will continue to monitor his situation closely over the coming months, awaiting any developments in negotiations with Barcelona.