Barcelona are set to lose highly rated midfielder Dro Fernandez, who is expected to leave the club during the current transfer window.
The Spanish-Filipino teenager had begun to make steady progress with Barcelona’s first team this season, but has now decided to continue his career elsewhere. According to Sport and Mundo Deportivo, Dro has informed club officials that he will activate his €6 million release clause and leave in January.
The 18-year-old joined Barcelona’s academy three years ago and, while the Catalan club will benefit financially from the transfer, his departure represents a significant sporting loss for the future.
Dro trained regularly with the first team during pre-season, and head coach Hansi Flick was sufficiently impressed to include him in the club’s pre-season tour of Japan and South Korea. Among all La Masia talents on that tour, he accumulated the most minutes and even scored a goal.
Flick was keen to give him consistent opportunities, and although Dro has spent more time with the U19 side than with Barça Atlètic, he has already made five appearances for the first team this season. These include two starts against Olympiacos and Real Sociedad, registering an assist in the former match.
Sporting director Deco attempted to renew Dro’s contract, which expires in just 18 months, but several clubs have expressed their willingness to trigger his release clause. While the youngster has not yet decided which offer he will accept, he has made it clear to Barcelona that his departure is inevitable.
