Barcelona president Joan Laporta calls Dro Fernandez’s switch to PSG “unpleasant” after the teenager reneged on a prior agreement with the Catalan club.
BARCELONA: Barcelona president Joan Laporta has described teenage talent Dro Fernandez’s decision to join Paris Saint-Germain as “unpleasant”.
The 18-year-old central midfielder is set to move to the French giants despite having previously agreed to a new deal with Barcelona.
Spanish media reports PSG will pay slightly more than Dro’s six-million-euro release clause as a goodwill gesture.
“We will speak when it’s all done, it has been an unpleasant situation,” Laporta told Catalunya Radio.
“It came as a surprise because we had agreed on a different solution for when he turned 18.”
Laporta added that the player’s representative later informed the club they could not follow through on the agreement.
The Barcelona chief indicated the club could “change the situation as it was presented”, seemingly referring to receiving up to 8.5 million euros instead of the clause figure.
Dro joined Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy in 2022 and has made eight first-team appearances.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick expressed his disappointment earlier this month.
“What I want to say to the young players from La Masia, is we are Barca and one of the best teams in the world,” Flick said.
“We give them the opportunity to train with us, to grow, every day, with the best players in the world.”
The German coach, who handed Dro his debut, emphasised the need for total commitment.
“If you want to play for Barca, then (do it) 100 percent with your whole heart,” he stated.
“These colours, you have to live for them, this is what I want to see.”
