Former Barcelona director wants to take club captain to Saudi Arabia | OneFootball

During his time as the director of FC Barcelona, Ramon Planes made some very important signings for the youth and the senior teams.

Having been very well aware of the players’ quality and potential, Planes, now the director of Al-Ittihad, is making moves to take them away from Barça to Saudi Arabia.

Youngster Unai Hernandez is all set to join the Saudi Pro League side next week in a deal worth €5 million.

Now, it appears that another Barcelona star appears to have emerged as a target for Al-Ittihad.

Ramon Planes wants Frenkie de Jong at Al-Ittihad

Indeed, according to journalist Victor Navarro, Ramon Planes has his sights set on Barcelona captain Frenkie de Jong for the summer transfer window.

De Jong, 27, has fallen down the pecking order of things at Barça this season and is no longer a guaranteed starter.

Ramon Planes wants De Jong at Al-Ittihad. (Photo by JOSEP LAGO/AFP via Getty Images)

Moreover, the Netherlands international will be entering the final year of his contract in the summer, with Barça suspecting that he wants to leave for free in 2026.

With renewal talks not progressing, Barcelona have informed the midfielder that if he does not sign a new deal, he will be sold in the summer.

Now, Planes and Al-Ittihad have shown an interest in signing De Jong. It must be noted that rumours of the Saudi club’s interest surfaced earlier this month when the Barcelona camp was in the Middle East for the Spanish Super Cup.

Planes was staying at the same hotel as the Barcelona players during the tournament and was believed to have held talks with the Dutchman’s agents as well.

So, it will be interesting to see whether the former Barcelona director raids the Catalans again in the summer for De Jong, who will likely be sold if he does not sign a new contract.