Barcelona president Joan Laporta has expressed disappointment over the departure of youngster Dro Fernandez, who left the club to join PSG.
The Spanish champions had hoped to tie down the attacking midfielder who recently turned 18 to a long-term contract, but were left stunned by his decision to hand in a transfer request.
PSG have paid around €8.2 million, slightly above the 18-year-old’s €6 million release clause and he has joined the club on a four-and-a-half year contract.
“It has been an unpleasant situation,” Barca president Joan Laporta stated in an interview.
“It came as a surprise because we had agreed on a different solution for when he turned 18. Surprisingly, his representative told us he couldn’t follow through on what we’d agreed to.”
Dro Fernandez made only five senior appearances for the club this season before departing and will be hoping for more minutes at the French capital.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick also voiced his frustration over the transfer of the youngster when asked earlier in the month.
“We give them the opportunity to train with us, to grow, every day, with the best players in the world. We give them the opportunity, we give them the support, believe in them, the confidence,” Flick revealed.
“If you want to play for Barca, then [do it] 100% with your whole heart. This is what I want to say to everyone who is now with us, or in the future with us, this must be 100%.
“These colours, you have to live for them, this is what I want to see. All the others I don’t want, this is what I can say”, he contjnued.
“Sometimes you do not agree with what they are doing, but they are 18, they are old enough to make the decisions, they have people around them.”
Barcelona will return to action in their final UCL league-phase match of the season on Wednesday night when they welcome Copenhagen to the Camp Nou.
PSG, meanwhile, also host Newcastle United simultaneously, with a spot in the top-eight of the standings on the line in both matches.
Olakitan is a young writer with a strong passion for sports, having gained experience with IndyPress and Nimelssa Press. His enthusiasm for sports inspired him to cover events both within his school and beyond. With a deep understanding of the game and a refined skillset, he brings sports coverage to a broad, global audience in a way that’s engaging and accessible.
