Luuk de Jong’s potential return to PSV Eindhoven appears unlikely, with former Dutch footballer Willy van de Kerkhof suggesting that neither the club nor the striker should pursue a reunion.

The former PSV captain is currently without a club following his departure from FC Porto in the summer of 2025. His availability has prompted some supporters to call for another spell in Eindhoven, but De Jong reportedly remains interested in continuing his career abroad.

Speaking on the Willy & René PSV Podcast from Omroep Brabant, Van de Kerkhof explained that De Jong and his wife are still keen to experience life outside the Netherlands, although a move to the Middle East is not under consideration.

“He, like his wife, is still keen on an adventure abroad, but they have no interest in the ‘sandbox’ [the Middle East],” Van de Kerkhof said, as quoted by PSV Inside.

The former footballer also questioned whether a return to PSV would benefit either party.

“I think it would be wise for PSV not to pursue that, and the same applies to Luuk himself,” he added.

De Jong remains a popular figure among PSV supporters after two spells at the club, during which he established himself as a key player and won five league titles in total.

The calls for his return have continued despite his departure last summer. Two months ago, PSV supporter @WesseiinhoV2 wrote on X: “Luuk de Jong, just come back and play for PSV for one more fun year, come on, just do it.”

However, Van de Kerkhof’s comments suggest that the striker’s personal ambitions may lie elsewhere. With De Jong still interested in an overseas adventure, a third spell at PSV does not appear to be the preferred option at present.

De Jong was also present in Eindhoven last Friday, attending the match against sc Heerenveen as a guest in the ‘Legend Lounge’. PSV won the game 2-0, and the former captain spoke with Van de Kerkhof during the occasion.

De Jong first joined PSV from Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2014 and was appointed captain in 2015 following Georginio Wijnaldum’s departure. During his first spell, PSV won three league titles before the striker moved to Sevilla in the summer of 2019.

His time at FC Porto was brief and difficult. Having joined the Portuguese club on a free transfer in 2019, De Jong made just five appearances because of a serious injury.

He subsequently spent three seasons in Spain with Sevilla and Barcelona before returning to PSV in 2022.

Following the departures of Cody Gakpo and Marco van Ginkel in the winter of 2023, De Jong once again took on the captaincy. He played a significant role in PSV’s Eredivisie title triumphs in 2024 and 2025 under manager Peter Bosz.

After helping the club secure those successes, De Jong opted to leave Eindhoven for Porto in the summer of 2025.

Although his record at PSV makes him an appealing prospect for supporters hoping to see him return, Van de Kerkhof’s assessment points towards a different outcome. For now, De Jong’s desire to pursue another experience abroad appears to make a third spell at PSV less likely.