Barcelona Set to Lose Top Wonderkid Pedro 'Dro' Fernández for Just €6 Million

FC Barcelona is reportedly on the verge of losing one of its brightest La Masia prospects, Pedro "Dro" Fernández, after the 18-year-old communicated his intention to trigger a remarkably low release clause in his contract.

According to reports from SPORT and Mundo Deportivo on January 16, 2026, the young attacking midfielder has informed manager Hansi Flick of his decision to leave the club during the current winter transfer window.

The Details of the Exit

The primary driver behind the shock departure is a €6 million ($6.9 million) release clause stipulated in his youth contract. Barcelona had intended to offer Dro a senior contract with a significantly higher "anti-state" clause (typically €1 billion for top starlets) once he turned 18.

However, despite Dro celebrating his 18th birthday on January 12, 2026—just one day after Barcelona's Spanish Super Cup victory—Sporting Director Deco was reportedly unable to finalize the renewal in time. This delay left the door open for European suitors to pounce on the bargain valuation.

Why is Dro Leaving?

Despite being highly regarded by Hansi Flick and integrated into the first-team dynamics this season, several factors have influenced Dro’s decision:

• Playing Time: Dro is seeking more consistent minutes to aid his professional development. He hasn't featured for the first team since December 2, 2025.

• Positional Competition: As a natural attacking midfielder, his path to the starting XI is currently blocked by established stars like Dani Olmo and Fermin López.

• Squad Hierarchy: Flick has also utilized him on the wing, but he remains behind Raphinha and loan-star Marcus Rashford in the pecking order.

Performance Snapshot (2025-26 Season)

Dro made a significant impact during the pre-season and early stages of the current campaign:

• Total Minutes: 148 across 5 matches.

• Competitions: 4 appearances in La Liga, 1 in the UEFA Champions League.

• Key Contribution: Provided a professional assist during his Champions League debut in a victory over Olympiacos.

Potential Destinations

While his final destination remains unconfirmed, several elite clubs are reportedly monitoring the situation:

• Premier League: Interest from Chelsea and Manchester City.

• Bundesliga: Borussia Dortmund is cited as a potential suitor known for developing young talent.

Context: A Growing Trend?

This situation mirrors the summer 2024 exit of Marc Guiu, who left for Chelsea after his €6 million release clause was triggered. For Barcelona, losing a "breakthrough starlet" like Dro for such a nominal fee represents a significant blow to their long-term sporting project, especially given the club's heavy reliance on La Masia talent to navigate their ongoing financial constraints.

Reported by Carlos Monfort (SPORT) and verified by multiple Catalan outlets on January 16, 2026.