Frenkie de Jong and Barcelona have been living in a state of tension for quite some time. The Dutch midfielder, once an indispensable element in the middle of the field for the Catalans, has now found himself in a precarious position where his future is torn between continuing in Catalonia or embarking on new adventures. With a contract valid until June 2026, De Jong is at the center of a dispute involving salary issues, on-field performance, and potential international transfers.
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The salary standoff
De Jong is one of the highest-paid team players in Barcelona, with a net salary of €9 million per year plus a loyalty bonus of €4.2 million. This makes him one of the most expensive athletes for the club, still fighting to balance its finances under harsh economic constraints. Barcelona have made it crystal clear: the Dutchman will stay only if he accepts to renew his contract with a pay cut.
Interest from the Saudi Pro League
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has emerged as a viable alternative. According to the newspaper AS, Frenkie de Jong's agent, Ali Dursun, has begun speaking with Saudi Pro League clubs with a view to possible deals. One of the few leagues currently capable of meeting De Jong's current salary demands is Saudi Arabia, which has acquired worldwide attention through high-profile transfers and its successful bid to stage the 2034 World Cup.
This is still a rumour in its infancy, but certainly indicates De Jong could have alternatives beyond Europe. There would, of course, be gigantic cultural and lifestyle changes for any transfer to Saudi Arabia, aside from financial considerations, said to form part of negotiations.
Dursun moved to quash those speculations for De Telegraaf. A transfer to Saudi Arabia is not an option for Frenkie.
Performance and market value
Whether a Middle Eastern move is on the table or not, another source of pressure for De Jong comes from his performance on the pitch. So far this season, he has played only 13 games, scoring one goal and providing one assist. Still recovering from an ankle injury, the player struggles to get back to the level that once made him one of Europe's brightest prospects.
If his situation in Barcelona does not improve, he is likely to continue losing value in the market, which will further complicate future negotiations.
The dilemma of De Jong
The matter is anything but simple for Frenkie de Jong. Staying at Barcelona means a steep pay cut and carrying on in an environment where his position is far from secure. Moving to Saudi Arabia would offer him financial security, but then he would be far from the highly competitive European soccer scenario.
But also Barcelona took a very firm stance: If De Jong will not renew his contract, then he can be out of the plans of Hansi Flick for the coming season. The club does not want to keep important players without a long-term contract in their ranks and took a policy which allows too few exceptions.
Decisions ahead
The next few months will be defining. While his agent is exploring possibilities both in European leagues and the Saudi market, De Jong must come to a decision: whether to sacrifice financial stability to stay at Barcelona or to move to a completely different setting and challenge.
For the club, too, it is a very delicate situation. Not renewing De Jong's contract would mean losing a top-level player and alleviating the financial burden on its wage bill. Keeping him until the end of his contract in 2026 would risk further devaluation of his market value, and a potential serious loss. A turning point
Frenkie de Jong's case is the perfect representation of the increasing problems that top-flight clubs and players face amidst an ever-changing economic and sporting scenario. For the Dutchman, every decision will directly affect his career and future. For Barcelona, the resolution of this situation will be another step in rebuilding the club while maintaining its competitiveness.
It's not about a contract, ultimately, but about which way is the way to be taken by one of the best midfielders of his generation at an important time in his career.