Barcelona are preparing to lose one of their most highly rated academy talents, with Pedro “Dro” Fernández set to leave the club this month after deciding to trigger his €6 million release clause. The decision was made jointly by the 18-year-old midfielder and his agent, with head coach Hansi Flick already informed, according to a post by Fabrizio Romano’s official X account.
Dro’s exit brings an abrupt end to a rise that recently saw him shine in both domestic and European outings for the first team, as highlighted by SoftFootball during his breakthrough appearances. The midfielder’s rapid progression had placed him firmly on Barcelona’s long-term radar.
Fabrizio Romano posted:
Dro will LEAVE Barcelona this month, decision made by 18 year old midfielder with his agent.
The release clause worth €6m will be triggered soon — Hansi Flick has also been informed, as @monfortcarlos reports.
Dro will pick his next club soon. NOT in Spain.
After joining La Masia in 2022 from ED Val Miñor Nigrán, Dro climbed through the youth ranks at speed and earned Flick’s trust during preseason, where he travelled with the senior squad to Asia and even found the net. His growing influence was further underlined this season, with five first-team appearances, including starts in La Liga and a Champions League outing where he registered an assist.
His development and composure at such a young age had already drawn praise from senior figures within the squad, as previously reported by SoftFootball. Behind the scenes, Flick had viewed Dro as a genuine project player and someone who could grow into a regular role.
That belief explains the manager’s strong reaction to the decision, with reports suggesting the German coach was deeply frustrated by the outcome. Although Dro only turned 18 on January 12, making him eligible for a renewal, Barcelona were unable to finalise a new deal in time, despite efforts from sporting director Deco.
The player’s camp has now made it clear that his next move will be outside Spain, with interest from both the Premier League and Bundesliga accelerating talks. Clubs such as Manchester City, Chelsea, and West Ham United are monitoring the situation closely, and the release clause is expected to be activated soon.
For Barcelona, Dro’s impending exit highlights the ongoing difficulty of retaining elite youth talent amid financial limits and fierce competition for minutes. With established names already crowding the midfield, the teenager appears ready to take a bold step elsewhere, prioritising opportunity and development over patience at Camp Nou.
