Paris Saint-Germain are closing in on the signing of Barcelona’s 18-year-old sensation Dro Fernández, with the French giants reportedly willing to pay above his €6 million release clause to secure a deal.
In what is becoming a recurring nightmare for the Catalan side, another La Masia graduate is set to depart for the Parc des Princes. According to transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, PSG will pay a slightly higher fee than the contractually mandated €6m (approx. £5m) as a “goodwill gesture” to maintain diplomatic relations with Barcelona.
Hansi Flick’s Fury
The move has reportedly caused a major rift within the club. Manager Hansi Flick is said to be “extremely angry” after learning of the departure directly from the player. Although Dro has struggled for consistent minutes in a star-studded Barça frontline, Flick viewed the teenager as a vital part of the club’s long-term project.
As a result of the transfer request, Dro has been frozen out of first-team training and was recently demoted to the reserve squad (Barça Atlètic) for a single appearance in early January.
The Luis Enrique Factor
A key driver behind the move is the opportunity to work with Luis Enrique. The Spanish coach, fresh from winning the Champions League and reaching the Club World Cup final with PSG, remains a massive draw for young Spanish talent.
Reports from Diario AS suggest that while Dro expected a new contract upon turning 18, the Barcelona board’s silence proved decisive. When Luis Enrique’s project was presented, the young striker saw it as the superior path for his development.
What’s Next for Barça?
With the January window closing in a matter of days, Barcelona must now decide how to reinvest the modest windfall. Losing a talent like Dro for just over €6m is seen as a significant blow to the club’s prestige, especially to a direct European rival like PSG.
Miguel Manjate is a football journalist and editor covering the Premier League, European competitions, and transfer news, with a strong focus on match analysis and data-driven reporting.
