De Jong is close to joining Al-Ittihad: The Saudi club's first deal from Barcelona
In a move that could cause a stir in the transfer market, it seems that the Saudi club Al-Ittihad is close to completing a deal to sign Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, to be its first major deal from the Catalan giants. Reports indicate that negotiations between the two parties have reached advanced stages, as Al-Ittihad has expressed its readiness to submit a huge financial offer to convince Barcelona to give up the Dutch player, who is considered one of the team's pillars.
Frenkie de Jong, who joined Barcelona in the summer of 2019 from Ajax Amsterdam, has become one of the most prominent midfielders in the world over the past years. He is distinguished by his ability to control the ball, his distinctive vision of the field, and his vital role in building attacks. However, the financial crisis that Barcelona is suffering from may force the club to accept the large offer submitted by Al-Ittihad, especially if it strengthens its coffers and helps it register new players.
Al-Ittihad, which continues to strengthen its ranks with international stars, seeks to make De Jong the centerpiece of the team's midfield, as part of its ambition to compete strongly at all levels, locally and continentally. The Saudi Roshen League champions are looking to achieve great achievements, and they consider attracting players of De Jong's caliber a strategic move to strengthen their position as one of the elite clubs in the Middle East.
For his part, De Jong seems open to a new experience in the Saudi League, especially in light of the attractive financial offers and the great development that the tournament has witnessed recently. The Dutch player, who has always expressed his love for Barcelona, may find himself forced to think about his personal interests and his career, especially if his role is no longer pivotal in coach Xavi Hernandez's plans.
On the other hand, Barcelona is trying to deal with the situation cautiously, as it realizes the importance of De Jong in its formation. Xavi sees him as an indispensable player in the midfield, but financial pressures may push the management to make a difficult decision. The Catalan club seeks to strike a balance between retaining its stars and supporting its sporting project on the one hand, and complying with the rules of financial fair play on the other hand.
If the deal goes through, it will be one of the biggest moves in the history of Al-Ittihad and the Saudi League as a whole. De Jong is not just a player, he is a global star who brings with him great experience and high technical capabilities that will help raise the level of the team and the league as a whole. His joining will also open the door for more global stars to consider moving to the Saudi League, which has become an attractive destination for many big players.
Ultimately, the deal is still in the negotiation stage, but signs of a close deal are clear. Al-Ittihad fans are eagerly awaiting the official announcement of the signing of De Jong, while Barcelona fans are waiting to see how the club's management will deal with this development. The coming days may be decisive in determining the fate of one of the most prominent midfield stars in world football.