Frenkie de Jong has gone from being a daily starter to a peripheral determine at FC Barcelona this season.
Following a prolonged spell out on the sidelines, the Dutchman has discovered minutes laborious to return by below Hansi Flick, with gamers like Pedri, Marc Casado, Gavi, Dani Olmo, and even Fermin Lopez forward of him.
Marc Bernal, at the moment out with an harm, can also be seen as somebody who could be in entrance of de Jong in Flick’s pecking order.
This marginalised position within the workforce, coupled along with his excessive wage and lack of progress in renewal talks has led to De Jong being linked with a departure from Barcelona.
Al-Ittihad
Now, in line with journalist Miguel Rico, Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia have proven an curiosity in signing Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona.
Ramon Planes, Barcelona’s former technical secretary and now Al-Ittihad’s technical director, could possibly be the hyperlink that may make the switch occur.
Saudi Arabia subsequent for Frenkie? (Photograph by Alex Caparros/Getty Pictures)
Coincidentally, Planes has been staying on the JW Marriott in Jeddah, the identical resort internet hosting Barcelona for the Spanish Tremendous Cup.
What’s extra, in latest interviews with Catalan media, Planes overtly admitted that some Barcelona gamers are on Al-Ittihad’s radar. Whereas no names had been talked about, De Jong is confirmed to be one in all their targets.
It’s also confirmed that Planes has already been involved with De Jong’s brokers. Although discussions between him and Barcelona’s sporting director Deco haven’t included specifics, it’s understood that Planes is aware of the calls for the Dutchman’s camp would make.
Whereas there is no such thing as a indication {that a} transfer will happen within the January switch window, there may be confidence {that a} deal could possibly be reached by summer season.
For now, Al-Ittihad is adopting a wait-and-see strategy, as fewer months remaining on De Jong’s contract would cut back his switch price.