Frenkie de Jong's future is starting to move, and no better news could arrive for FC Barcelona. AS has discovered that his agent, Ali Dursun, has made inquiries in Saudi Arabia to try to understand how the championship is doing a few years after its big explosion. The Dutchman is beginning to think about a future away from Camp Nou and is already preparing for it.
In 2026, Frenkie de Jong's contract will be terminated and it seems there are no advances regarding his possible renewal. From Barça, more specifically President Joan Laporta, there has been a firm stance with the player: If he wants to stay, he'll have to significantly lower his salary. All parties are aware that his current salary is unsustainable, and if he doesn't accept these conditions, he'll have to leave.
This season, De Jong is earning more than 13 million euros net, to which another 2 million could be added if he plays more than 60% of the matches this season. In Saudi Arabia, he knows he would find the only destination capable of supporting his enormous salary for the future. The reality is that the De Jong has lost much prestige in Europe. The Dutchman already knows that Barça is open to an immediate sale if he wishes to leave and will make it easy for him.
Joan Laporta is Fed up with Frenkie De Jong: Is Saudi Arabia His Next Destination?
Joan Laporta has had enough and has made the definitive decision with Frenkie de Jong. For months, the Dutchman had a proposal on the table to renew with FC Barcelona, but this has changed. Indeed, he had, in the past, because the Barça president has recently decided that the offer has officially been declared expired and is no longer valid, according to Mundo Deportivo.
Barça already made him a renewal proposal at the end of 2023, putting a new agreement on the table. The duration would have been extended until 2029, three more years than he is currently signed for.
At this moment, Joan Laporta wants to take some time with Frenkie de Jong. The proposal is no longer valid and is considered discarded. His contract ends in 2026, and the idea now is to wait and see if his performance improves. There is no clear scenario at present, and anything can happen: a renewal, a sale, even a free exit when his current contract ends.
If Frenkie de Jong wants to leave, he already knows: open doors. This approach to Saudi Arabia by his agent confirms that his continuity at Barça is practically ruled out.