Manchester City plot bold move for Barcelona midfielder

Manchester City plot a bold and calculated move targeting Barcelona’s key midfielder ahead of the January deadline.

Pep Guardiola, fresh from bolstering his squad with Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi, now eyes youth investment to sustain City’s quadruple chase in the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup.

The Etihad outfit’s allure—Guardiola’s track record with Spanish talents, elite facilities, and long-term vision—has swayed the player despite rival interest from Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, and Borussia Dortmund.

That midfielder is Dro Fernández, the 18-year-old Spain U18 international who joined Barcelona’s academy in 2022 and exploded into Flick’s first-team plans last summer, according to El Desmarque.

Fernández debuted in a 2-1 La Liga win over Real Sociedad in September, followed by his Champions League bow against Olympiacos—where he became the competition’s second-youngest assist provider after Giovanni Reyna—and earned two starts across five senior outings before his last appearance on December 2.

City’s pursuit exploits Fernández’s modest €6m release clause, activated after stalled contract talks upon his January 12 birthday left Barcelona stunned and Hansi Flick bitterly disappointed.

The wonderkid cited limited minutes behind Dani Olmo and Fermín López as a reason to depart, informing the club he seeks regular football to accelerate his Thiago Alcântara-esque trajectory.

A deal could materialize in days, with Manchester City leading, though PSG’s Luis Enrique—linked via agent Iván de la Peña—looms as a threat.

Barcelona planned renewal and promotion, but Fernández’s decision rocked the hierarchy, echoing past academy exits.

For Manchester City, he embodies Guardiola’s blueprint: versatile, technical, and resale gold. Success at the Etihad could forge another Phil Foden; failure risks short-term hype.

Either way, this saga highlights La Masia’s dual edge—talent factory and bargain bin for Europe’s giants.