De Jong extends time out of action after refusing to undergo surgery

Frenkie de Jong has not been on the pitch since 21st April, when he started last season's 'El Clasico' on matchday 32 in a 3-2 defeat for Barcelona. At that time, Xavi Hernandez was still in charge of the squad and saw the Dutchman as a key player in his schemes, as evidenced by his record under his orders: 30 out of 30 starts in the 23-24 season.
Now, the situation is quite different. The Netherlands international is suffering from discomfort in his right ankle and has refused to undergo surgery, according to 'Sport'. His refusal to the advice of the 'Cules' medical staff is a problem for Hansi Flick because the coach had hoped to have him available after the first international break of the campaign, in which Ronald Koeman's national team shone without him.
The midfielder will only give the go-ahead to return to the squad when he feels recovered and has said no to undergoing surgery because it is no guarantee of anything, although it could shorten his recovery period. His patience strains his relationship with Joan Laporta's board, who, according to the newspaper mentioned in the previous paragraph, offered him to several teams this summer without his approval.
Frenkie de Jong has two seasons left on his contract at Barcelona and his salary has come to the fore on several occasions. He himself has even complained, in public, that it was leaked in what he sees as a pressure tactic to get him to leave Barcelona. He cost 86 million euros when, in the summer of 2019, he left Erik ten Hag's stellar Ajax for a spell in Spain that he wants to make the most of, albeit unhurriedly.