Barcelona midfielder Dro Fernandes is on the verge of finalizing a transfer to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) during the current winter transfer window, marking the second significant departure from the Catalan club following Marc-Andre ter Stegen's loan move to Girona.
Operative Information Center-OMM, citing foreign media reports, indicates that the 18-year-old player traveled to Paris today to undergo a mandatory medical examination. If the medical tests are successfully completed, the young midfielder is expected to sign an official contract with the French giants immediately.
According to reports, Fernandes expressed dissatisfaction with his playing time earlier this month and formally requested a transfer from the club's management. Barcelona's ability to retain the player was severely limited by a release clause in his contract valued at 6 million euros. PSG moved quickly to capitalize on this situation, reaching a personal agreement with the player in a short period.
The decision has sparked disappointment within the club and among the Catalan public. Barcelona President Joan Laporta commented on the situation, stating that the development was unexpected. He emphasized that the 6 million euro fee is considerably low for a player of Fernandes' potential, highlighting the challenges the club faces regarding release clauses for emerging talents.
The transfer comes amid a period of strategic adjustments for major European football clubs during the mid-season window. Barcelona, currently navigating financial fair play regulations, often finds itself balancing the need to retain homegrown talent with the economic realities of fixed release clauses. For PSG, the acquisition of Fernandes aligns with their recent strategy of investing in high-prospect youth players to bolster their long-term squad depth.
