Frenkie de Jong receives huge offer to leave Barcelona
- Frenkie de Jong presented with opportunity for lucrative Barcelona exit
- Midfielder the subject of interest from Saudi Pro League giants Al Ittihad
- Contract expires in 2026 & talks to stay in Catalonia described as ongoing
Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has reportedly received a mammoth offer to reject a new contract and take his talents to Saudi Arabia.
De Jong suffered enormously with ankle trouble last season, which ultimately also ruled him out of Euro 2024 as well. But since recovering in October and gradually building up his fitness, the Dutchman has once more become an important player.
De Jong hadn't wanted to leave Barcelona, but for a period it was suggested he could run down his contract and land a major payday by signing with a new club as a free agent in 2026. The Catalans responded by threatening him with banishment if he refused to sign a new deal.
Now, a fresh contract beyond next season appears most likely. SPORT notes that "everything is focused on negotiations for an extension", with the player's camp making their choice after being presented with the option of a hugely lucrative offer elsewhere.
It is said that De Jong has turned down the possibility of leaving for a bumper deal in the Saudi Pro League with Al Ittihad, who already boast Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante and Fabinho. Coach Hansi Flick has also asked club officials to "make an effort to reach an agreement" on a contract.
That agreement is described as "only a matter of time", helped in no small part by De Jong's desire to stay in the city where he and his family are settled and have called home for six years. The financial details of the new contract are being "ironed out", although it’s not considered a simple negotiation.
It has previously been reported that Barcelona want to restructure De Jong's salary, without changing the overall amount he could earn. A lower proportion of the €19m he could pocket each season would be guaranteed, balanced with more in the way of performance-based top-ups. That would better shield Barca against paying a fortune in the event of future injuries.
But also a feature of negotiations is Barcelona's attempt to get De Jong to agree to forgo the tens of millions he is still owed in deferred wages, established during the regime of former president Josep Maria Bartomeu, potentially using the player's own loyalty against him.
READ THE LATEST BARCELONA NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP
feed