Frenkie de Jong Receives Huge Offer to Leave Barcelona

Midfielder’s Future Hangs in the Balance Amid Saudi Bid and Barca Contract Talks

In the ever-shifting landscape of modern football, few players embody the crossroads of sporting loyalty and financial temptation quite like Frenkie de Jong. Once hailed as the future of Barcelona’s midfield, the Dutch maestro now finds himself the subject of a new transfer saga  this time, from an offer that could change his life and legacy.

According to reports out of Spain, Saudi Pro League giants Al Ittihad have made a mammoth offer to lure Frenkie De Jong away from the Camp Nou. The proposal, while not public in its exact financials, is said to be in line with the astronomical packages that have brought the likes of Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kanté, and Fabinho to the Gulf state.

But in a surprising and for many Barcelona fans, heartening  twist, Frenkie De Jong has reportedly turned down the chance to leave, choosing instead to push forward with talks over a new deal at Barça. It’s a decision that signals both loyalty and complexity, as behind the scenes, negotiations remain anything but straightforward.

Let’s unpack everything  the Saudi offer, Barcelona’s contract play, and what’s next for one of Europe’s most intriguing midfielders.

A Saudi Temptation: The Offer From Al Ittihad

There was a time not long ago when whispers of players moving to the Saudi Pro League were met with smirks. Not anymore. After the arrivals of global superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema, Neymar, and Sadio Mané, the Saudi project has become serious business  financially and competitively.

Now, Frenkie de Jong is the latest name on their radar. Sources close to the situation confirm that Al Ittihad submitted a formal approach, offering a lucrative multi-year contract that would reportedly make him one of the highest-paid midfielders in the world.

The timing of the offer was strategic. Frenkie De Jong’s contract with Barcelona runs until 2026, but the club’s financial difficulties  and the player’s unresolved wage deferrals  left a window of vulnerability. Add to that Frenkie De Jong’s recent injury troubles, and it’s clear why Al Ittihad felt the moment was right to strike.

Yet despite the money and prestige, Frenkie De Jong politely declined the approach, reaffirming his desire to stay in Catalonia.

Staying in Barcelona: A Matter of Heart and Home

Since arriving from Ajax in 2019, Frenkie De Jong has made Barcelona home — not just professionally, but personally. He and his partner, Mikky Kiemeney, have settled into life in the city, and the midfielder is said to be deeply connected to both the club and the culture.

That connection has proved stronger than any external offer so far.

“Frenkie wants to stay. He always wanted to stay,” a source close to the negotiations told Spanish outlet SPORT. “He feels part of the club and the city. The family is settled. His priority is not money.”

This sentiment is said to have played a key role in turning down Al Ittihad’s proposal. But staying doesn’t mean the road is smooth. The negotiations over a new Barcelona contract are now center stage  and they’re far from simple.

The Contract Talks: Restructuring, Loyalty, and Deferred Millions

Barcelona’s financial constraints are well-documented. Years of overspending, bloated contracts, and mismanagement under former president Josep Maria Bartomeu have left the club in a precarious position. And few players embody the complications of that era more than Frenkie de Jong.

De Jong is still reportedly owed tens of millions in deferred wages  a legacy of COVID-era adjustments made when the club was desperate to slash spending. Those wages were pushed down the line with promises of repayment, but now Barcelona are reportedly asking him to forgo a significant chunk of that money as part of a new deal.

That’s a tough ask.

The club is also seeking to restructure his salary in a way that offers lower guaranteed wages, offset by performance-based incentives. The goal? To protect against large outlays if Frenkie De Jong suffers further injuries, like the ankle troubles that cost him nearly half of the 2023/24 season and an appearance at Euro 2024.

From Frenkie De Jong’s side, there’s willingness to negotiate, but not to be taken advantage of.

“They want to use his loyalty against him,” one Spanish journalist noted in a recent radio appearance. “He could have left. He didn’t. And now they ask him to give back money he’s owed? It’s delicate.”

Still, both sides are reportedly optimistic. Barcelona’s new coach, Hansi Flick, has already made clear that he wants Frenkie De Jong to be a central part of his project. According to SPORT, Flick has instructed club executives to “make an effort to reach an agreement”  and believes Frenkie De Jong’s unique blend of composure, distribution, and verticality is key to his tactical plans.

What Happens Next?

So where do we go from here?

For now, contract negotiations continue, with both parties hopeful of a resolution before the 2024/25 season begins. De Jong’s current deal runs until 2026, so there’s no immediate danger of losing him for free  but there’s a sense that clarity is needed, and soon.

If talks collapse  which sources say is unlikely  other suitors beyond Saudi Arabia could enter the fray. Premier League clubs have always admired Frenkie De Jong, particularly Manchester United, who tried to sign him back in 2022 during Erik ten Hag’s first window. That pursuit failed largely due to Frenkie De Jong’s desire to stay at Barcelona.

That desire hasn’t changed.

The Bigger Picture: Loyalty in the Modern Game

Frenkie de Jong’s situation is a fascinating case study in the modern football economy.

Here’s a player who could have chased money and prestige elsewhere. He’s been linked with superclubs, cash-rich leagues, and clubs closer to winning trophies. And yet, he continues to choose Barcelona  not out of obligation, but out of belief in the club’s long-term project.

It’s a rarity in today’s market, where loyalty is often viewed as a weakness rather than a strength. And yet, Frenkie De Jong’s stance could end up helping both him and the club: Barcelona get to keep a world-class midfielder, and Frenkie De Jong gets the legacy he came to Spain to build.

The final numbers are still being “ironed out,” but one thing seems clear: Frenkie de Jong is staying  and he’s doing it on his terms.