Audio By Carbonatix
Paris St-Germain have signed 18-year-old Barcelona midfielder Dro Fernandez, with the Spanish side's president calling the transfer situation "unpleasant".
According to Spanish media, PSG have paid 8.2m euros (£7.1m) for Fernandez - a fee higher than his 6m euros (£5.2m) release clause - in a bid to maintain good relations between the clubs.
The Spanish midfielder's departure has been controversial, as he was expected to sign a new contract at Barcelona.
But he has now completed a move to PSG on a deal until 2030.
"It has been an unpleasant situation," Barca president Joan Laporta told Catalunya Radio.
"It came as a surprise because we had agreed on a different solution for when he turned 18.
"Surprisingly, his representative told us he couldn't follow through on what we'd agreed to."
Fernandez joined Barcelona's La Masia academy in 2022 and has made five senior appearances since his debut in September, including in the Champions League against Olympiacos.
PSG said the signing was "fully in line with the club's sporting strategy, which is heavily focused on youth and talent".
Fernandez said his move was a "moment of huge pride" and PSG was "a massive club that I've followed since I was a child and where some great legends have made history".
In a separate post on Instagram, he wrote: "After nearly four unforgettable seasons, today I have to make one of the most difficult decisions of my life: saying goodbye to the club that has been my home in recent years."
Asked about Fernandez's future earlier this month, Barca coach Hansi Flick said young players needed to "live for" the club and suggested the teenager would be making a mistake if he moved to France.
"We give them the opportunity to train with us, to grow, every day, with the best players in the world. We give them the opportunity, we give them the support, believe in them, the confidence," he said.
"If you want to play for Barca, then [do it] 100% with your whole heart.
"This is what I want to say to everyone who is now with us, or in the future with us, this must be 100%.
"These colours, you have to live for them, this is what I want to see. All the others I don't want, this is what I can say.
"Sometimes you do not agree with what they are doing, but they are 18, they are old enough to make the decisions, they have people around them."
Latest Stories
-
Patoranking and Buju Banton champion African pride on new single ‘African soldier’
7 minutes -
Immigration presence boosts trade and strengthens community ties at Sogakope checkpoint
12 minutes -
EU, GIZ commission solar-powered cold room and dam in Duang
14 minutes -
From training to transformation: Rethinking learning in Africa’s organisations
17 minutes -
Gender Minister calls for stronger collaboration among Ghanaian participants to advance gender equality at CSW70
18 minutes -
Hope Sold, Dreams Denied: An open letter to the Interior Minister on the ethics of mass recruitment in Ghana’s security services
21 minutes -
Consumer protection in Ghana’s e-commerce space: Safeguarding the digital shopper
24 minutes -
The rise of skills over degrees: What it means for Ghana’s workforce
26 minutes -
Sampa chiefs appeal to Mahama to intervene in escalating chieftaincy crisis
26 minutes -
North Tongu DCE showcases development projects during 69th Independence Day celebration
28 minutes -
Minority labels security services recruitment a “ponzi scheme” exploiting unemployed youth
30 minutes -
Telecel Ghana expects to declare profit after 30% growth in 2025 – CEO
31 minutes -
Daily Insight for CEOs: Brand credibility as competitive capital
36 minutes -
Police arrest two suspected goat-stealing syndicates with 27 animals in Central Region
48 minutes -
India offers ICCR scholarships to Ghanaian students for 2026–2027 academic year
49 minutes
