Hansi Flick gave Frenkie de Jong a starting spot against Valencia, but rumors suggest he might be leaving FC Barcelona soon.
Barcelona came out strong from the start against Valencia, even with Flick making several rotations. Many players are eager to secure more playing time, and this has resulted in a dominant 5-0 scoreline at halftime. One of the main surprises was Frenkie de Jong starting and scoring, despite ongoing speculation about his potential departure from the club in the near future.
Hours before the match between Barcelona and Valencia, COPE journalist Víctor Navarro revealed a possible destination for Frenkie de Jong. All signs point to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad, where a key supporter of the move is a familiar face for Barcelona fans: Ramón Planes, the club’s sporting director.
Navarro reported that Planes is “on the lookout” and “wants” to bring the Dutch midfielder to Al-Ittihad next summer. The Spaniard aims to take advantage of de Jong’s uncertain position at Barcelona, where the player is no longer considered indispensable, and the club is reportedly keen to offload him. With the current situation looking unsustainable, it seems both sides are open to parting ways in the coming months.
De Jong’s contract with Barcelona runs until 2026, but there have been no talks of a renewal so far. While Joan Laporta has made attempts to extend his stay, offering to adjust his current salary and spread it over more years, de Jong has reportedly been unresponsive. It appears the player is driven by financial incentives, and a move to Al-Ittihad could offer him an ideal opportunity to not only retain his current salary but potentially even increase it. With Barcelona seemingly open to his departure, a move to Saudi Arabia is looking increasingly likely.
If Frenkie de Jong agrees to move to Saudi Arabia, Barcelona will make it easy for him to depart. The club’s plan is clear: they aim to earn some money from his sale before his contract expires and relieve themselves of his hefty salary. With the club operating under the 1:1 rule, Barcelona believes they could make a significant signing next summer by freeing up resources.
Ultimately, everything hinges on how eager de Jong is to leave Barcelona and the city of Catalonia. If he’s willing to move, the club will facilitate the process, allowing them to strengthen their squad for the future.
