The transfer of talented young player Derrou Fernandes from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain has sparked a new crisis between the two clubs, with the president of the Catalan club, Joan Laporta, expressing his strong displeasure with this move, describing the situation as “disturbing,” especially after the player had reached a prior agreement to renew his contract.
Background to the conflict over La Masia talents
This incident comes within the broader context of fierce competition for young talent in European football. Barcelona's La Masia academy has long been a goldmine, producing legends like Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernandez, and Andres Iniesta. However, in recent years, the academy has become a target for financially powerful clubs like Paris Saint-Germain, who seek to poach top talents at a young age. The case of Xavi Simons, who left Barcelona for Paris in 2019, is a stark example of this trend, which is worrying the Catalan club's management and fans.
Details of the deal and Laporta's statements
The promising 18-year-old midfielder is set to officially join the French champions. According to media reports, the Parisian club will pay a fee slightly exceeding the €6 million ($7 million) release clause, a move that could be interpreted as a "goodwill gesture" to avoid further tension. However, Laporta did not hide his anger, stating in a radio interview: "It was a very upsetting and surprising situation, because we had agreed on a completely different solution when he turned 18." Laporta placed the blame on the player's agent, adding: "What's surprising is that his agent told us he couldn't honor what we had agreed upon.".
The impact and importance of the deal
Domestically, losing a talent like Derrou Fernandez, who joined La Masia in 2012 and has already made eight appearances for the first team, is a blow to the club's youth-focused project, especially given its current financial difficulties. Internationally, this transfer underscores the growing financial gap between historic clubs like Barcelona and those backed by massive investments, demonstrating how financial power can trump loyalty and long-term sporting planning. It also further strains the already tense relationship between Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, a relationship marked by dramatic episodes since Neymar's record-breaking transfer in 2017.
Coach Flick's disappointment
The discontent wasn't limited to the management; it extended to the coaching staff, led by German coach Hansi Flick, who expressed his disappointment with the decision. In a message addressed to all academy players, Flick said: “What I want to say to the young players is that we are Barcelona, one of the best teams in the world. We give them the opportunity to grow and train with the best players.” He added firmly: “If you want to play for Barcelona, do it with all your heart. This should be your 100 percent goal. These are the colors you should live for.”.
