Al-Ittihad make contact with Barcelona player’s camp over potential transfer | OneFootball

FC Barcelona have a few important decisions to make this January transfer window and one of them is the future of Frenkie de Jong. The Dutchman’s career at the Catalan club is at a very precarious stage with the future very uncertain.

From there being question marks over whether the Dutchman would sign a new contract, conversations have started trespassing into a territory of whether Barcelona should even be handing a new contract to Frenkie de Jong.

The 27-year-old midfielder has been a pale shadow of his former imperious self ever since his return from an ankle injury that kept him out for around six months. The Dutchman has not been able to reach anywhere near his best level.

Thus, in due course, the Barcelona captain has fallen down the pecking order with regard to Hansi Flick’s team selections. The German coach hardly gives the player a start these days, other than games like the Copa del Rey clash against UD Barbastro.

Now, as per Miguel Rico via Barca Times, Al-Ittihad sporting director Ramon Planes, who was one Barcelona’s director has initiated contact with Frenkie de Jong’s camp over a potential transfer to the Saudi Pro League.

The Dutch midfielder’s career was not expected to play out this way. He was once destined to become one of the best midfielders in the world and yet, as he is entering what is usually the prime years of his career, Frenkie could be shipped to Saudi Arabia.

What Frenkie adds to the team when he is at his best is quite unique. His ball carrying ability through midfielder is very essential but it has been a while since one has seen him go on one of his line-breaking runs and his off-the-ball game has always been a liability.

It remains to be seen what the future holds for the Barcelona captain. It would be a huge surprise to see him stay at the club for much longer but he might not be willing to shift to Saudi just yet. Let’s wait and see how this transfer saga plays out.