Frenkie de Jong is no closer to returning to Barcelona, so what is going on?

[{"selector":"#anim-5f7105f8-d1c8-40d5-9b46-c71c238bf47f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-3.1863353910295515%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8140a6a0-d499-4fed-b1e8-7e55dedba4db","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] "Frenkie de Jong?" "He is in the recovery process," Barcelona manager Hansi Flick stated two weeks ago

[{"selector":"#anim-9633286b-36f4-4959-b598-016ccde9fe7e [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(1.1662964091680799%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1a4df292-b41a-4ff2-a46f-d287641c5d87","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] "He has taken a significant stride ahead, and now it is time to wait. He is still undergoing training, and we will continue to follow him. "

[{"selector":"#anim-0a782817-4590-4202-b95f-002a5669c2b5 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-8.133540340259628%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6af6450e-ed31-423e-b988-686ca80b9839","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Flick's upbeat attitude contrasted with the disturbing reality of De Jong's position.

[{"selector":"#anim-e96236b5-45b7-469c-96f1-2e730dc0e546 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1f1fa9a0-09ae-4d28-8f0b-2e33876e8d80","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The Dutch midfielder has been out since April with an ankle injury, forcing him to miss the European Championship with the Netherlands this summer.

[{"selector":"#anim-4df86024-5791-42db-a304-b961108de895 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-06305172-77a5-4f51-b294-07914a6e3054","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Barca need the 27-year-old more than ever after the season-ending injury suffered by Marc Bernal and a lack of signings in holding midfield.

[{"selector":"#anim-c84b6df8-8ae4-4ad2-97a8-abeb5c4ed9f7 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e63beb3d-3eaa-4448-902f-e200b96c1957","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] La Masia graduate Marc Casado and centre-back Eric Garcia are Flick’s only options in that position.

[{"selector":"#anim-e4805234-7afb-41f7-8bf8-a34c86dbb5f1 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-5.869565194001801%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-748fe35c-25d7-4e05-aa77-920dfe6712fd","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] But with the German about to welcome back Barca’s players after the international break, De Jong is no closer to retu rning.

[{"selector":"#anim-db252ff5-eb33-4a02-8a8e-2767e02a3f89 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2d857503-5466-4c6c-a701-f70b2cfaf105","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] He has yet to start training again with his team-mates and has spent recent weeks on his own, monitored by the club’s medical staff.

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Frenkie de Jong is no closer to returning to Barcelona, so what is going on?

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