De Jong’s next step: is the Saudi Pro League in his sights?
Under contract with FC Barcelona until 2026, Frenkie de Jong has yet to extend his deal with the Catalan club. Barcelona’s management is increasingly pessimistic about a potential extension, especially with the prospect of a significant pay cut. Some believe that the Dutch midfielder’s plan is to honor his contract and leave as a free agent, which would be a poor financial move for the club, as well as a sporting one, given that De Jong is part of coach Hans-Dieter Flick’s plans.
However, new reports suggest that De Jong is already thinking about his future. According to AS, his agent, Ali Dursun, is exploring the Saudi market. While De Jong has been frequently linked with a move to Manchester United, his camp seems more interested in the Saudi Pro League. Dursun has reportedly engaged in discussions with Saudi clubs to gauge the league’s progress and opportunities, although no concrete talks have taken place yet.
A move to Saudi Arabia could offer De Jong a much higher salary, but he has not ruled out continuing his career in a top European league. FC Barcelona is now faced with the reality that De Jong is currently prioritizing a move to the SPL.
