FC Barcelona is moving swiftly to secure the future of one of its brightest talents, signaling its confidence in the player’s potential to shape the club’s midfield for years to come.
After a challenging 382 days sidelined by injury, the young star recently made a long-awaited return to the pitch, marking a significant milestone in his recovery.
The club, cautious yet optimistic, is now set to formalize a contract extension that will keep the prodigy in Catalonia until 2029, reinforcing their commitment to nurturing homegrown talent at a time when injuries have tested their squad depth.
The player in question is Marc Bernal, the promising midfielder who made a substitute appearance against Valencia earlier this month.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona has scheduled September 29 to announce Bernal’s contract renewal, a day after their home clash against Real Sociedad at Montjuic.
The new deal, which activates a clause extending his current contract by three years, will include a hefty €500 million release clause, underscoring the club’s high expectations for the youngster.
While Bernal hopes to feature against Sociedad to cap his comeback, manager Hansi Flick remains cautious, prioritizing a gradual reintegration to avoid setbacks, much like the approach taken with Gavi’s return from injury.
Bernal’s journey back to fitness has been meticulous, with the club carefully managing his minutes to ensure long-term durability.
Despite the absences of key midfielders like Fermin Lopez and Gavi, Flick is in no rush to thrust Bernal into the starting lineup, opting instead for a measured approach to build his match sharpness.
This strategy reflects Barcelona’s broader philosophy of protecting its young stars while preparing them for the demands of elite football.
The 18-year-old’s versatility and composure have already drawn praise, positioning him as a potential cornerstone in the Blaugrana’s midfield rebuild.
As Barcelona navigate a critical phase of their season, securing Bernal’s future is a statement of intent.
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