Barcelona president Joan Laporta said teenage talent Dro Fernandez’s decision to leave the club for a planned move to Paris Saint-Germain, despite previously agreeing a new contract with the Catalan giants, was «unpleasant».
Central midfielder Dro, 18, is set to join French giants PSG, with Spanish media reporting they will pay Barca slightly more than his €6m release clause as a gesture of goodwill.
«We will speak when everything is over, it was an unpleasant situation,» Laporta said Catalan radio late on Sunday.
“It came as a surprise because we had agreed on another solution for when he turned 18,” the Barça boss continued. “Surprisingly, his representative told us he could not go through with what we had agreed.”
Laporta indicated that Barca would be able to «change the situation as it was presented to them», seemingly referring to receiving up to €8.5 million for Dro from PSG, rather than the amount stipulated in his release clause.
Hailing from Galicia in northwestern Spain, Dro joined Barcelona’s La Masia youth academy, considered the best in the world, in 2022 and has since made eight appearances for the club.
Laporta indicated that Barca would be able to «change the situation as it was presented to them», seemingly referring to receiving up to 8.5 million euros from PSG. | Photo credit: REUTERS
Laporta indicated that Barca would be able to «change the situation as it was presented to them», seemingly referring to receiving up to 8.5 million euros from PSG. | Photo credit: REUTERS
Earlier in January, Barca coach Hansi Flick expressed his disappointment over Dro’s impending departure.
“What I want to say to the young players of La Masia is that we are Barca and one of the best teams in the world,” said the German coach, who handed Dro his debut in September 2025.
«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 trust.»
«If you want to play for Barcelona, do it 100 percent with all your heart. This is what I want to say to everyone who is with us now, or with us in the future, this must be 100 percent.»
«These colors, you have to live for them, this is what I want to see. I don’t want all the others, this is what I can say.»
Published on January 26, 2026
