Girona is accelerating negotiations for a high-profile Barcelona star, positioning itself to secure a loan deal.
The Catalan rivals view this as a strategic move to tap into La Masia’s talent pipeline, mirroring past successful collaborations like Pablo Torre’s stint, while providing the player with crucial minutes to accelerate his development post-injury.
Barcelona, balancing squad depth with youth progression under Hansi Flick, remains open to the arrangement if it aligns with their long-term vision, especially amid a packed festive schedule demanding careful rotation.
Girona is closing in on a loan agreement for Barcelona star Marc Bernal, the highly-rated La Masia midfielder who has gradually reintegrated into first-team action after a lengthy knee injury layoff.
The 17-year-old, whose contract runs until 2029 with a €500 million buyout clause, impressed early last season before misfortune struck, and has since featured in eight matches this campaign, including a 30-minute outing against Real Betis.
Michel’s side sees Bernal’s tactical awareness, defensive solidity, and passing range as perfect fits for their possession-based style.
Reports from Catalunya Radio indicate Girona has made Bernal a key target, potentially repeating the García loan model from prior seasons that benefited all parties.
Barcelona’s cautious reintegration—limiting him to sporadic minutes behind established pivots like Frenkie de Jong and Eric García—fuels the loan talk, though the club insists “his time will come” and no permanent sale is planned.
A Girona move offers consistent football crucial for Bernal’s maturation, especially with January’s lighter schedule allowing a seamless transition.
Flick values Bernal’s potential but prioritizes match fitness, making this loan a pragmatic step without severing ties.
Girona’s pursuit underscores their ambition in Europe, while Barcelona protects an asset they extended in September 2025.
If finalized, the deal could ignite Bernal’s trajectory, benefiting all three Catalan giants in a symbiotic arrangement.
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