Al Ittihad’s sporting director comes clean on pursuit of Barcelona captain – ‘It is difficult’ | OneFootball

Despite gradually becoming a regular feature in Barcelona’s starting line-up, Frenkie de Jong’s future at the club remains uncertain.

This is because his current contract runs until 30 June 2026, and there have been no developments regarding a renewal. If this situation continues, it is likely that De Jong could leave the club next summer.

Interest in De Jong has not been lacking, particularly from clubs in Saudi Arabia. Among the potential suitors is Al Ittihad, whose sporting director, Ramon Planes, has a history with Barcelona, having previously served as their sporting director.

Not positive about de Jong

However, Planes appears to believe that De Jong will stay put. He acknowledged that conversations about market possibilities are common, but he emphasised how well De Jong has adapted to life in Barcelona.

This makes it challenging for the midfielder to find a better situation than what he currently enjoys at the Catalan club.

“Conversations to find out how the market is doing are frequent. He is very happy in Barcelona, adapted, and it is difficult for the player if things work well to go to a better team than Barça.

“I always have to ask about the players and the market possibilities,” he said as quoted by SPORT.

On Unai Hernandez

Beyond De Jong’s future, Planes also discussed the recent transfer of Unai Hernandez. The homegrown talent made the switch from Barça Atlètic to Al Ittihad during the winter transfer window.

Planes described the negotiation process as straightforward, with all parties understanding the circumstances surrounding the move. He expressed confidence that this transfer represents a significant step forward for Hernandez’s career.

“It was an easy negotiation. All parties understood the situation. It is a very important step for him,” he explained.

Reflecting on his time at Barcelona, Planes highlighted his commitment to bringing in and developing key players such as Pedri and Ronald Araujo.

He acknowledged that his tenure came during a challenging period for the club, but he took pride in recognising the potential of these players.

Pedri has since become a central figure in Barcelona’s midfield, while Araujo has established himself as a defensive powerhouse.