Pedro ‘Dro’ Fernández Transfers to PSG: A Shocking Departure from Barcelona

omidbasir- Barcelona’s coach, Hansi Flick, invested considerable time and effort into Pedro ‘Dro’ Fernández, making his recent decision to leave the club all the more surprising. Flick had included Dro in Barcelona’s preseason tour last summer, granted him his LaLiga debut in September, and even gave him his first UEFA Champions League start in October. However, after experiencing top-level football, Dro sought more playing time, leading to his unexpected decision to pursue opportunities elsewhere, which sent shockwaves through the club.

This week, news broke about Dro’s transfer to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), with sources indicating that the French club paid slightly more than his €6 million release clause to secure his signature. Unfortunately for Barcelona, this clause allowed the transfer to proceed without their consent, a situation made more painful by the involvement of Luis Enrique, former player and coach, who is now managing PSG.

Flick’s frustration with Dro’s departure was palpable. Initially, he refrained from discussing the matter publicly until the transfer was finalized. However, during the same press conference, he mentioned external influences that contributed to Dro’s decision, asserting that he only wished to work with players fully committed to the club. “If you want to play with Barça, it must be 100% with your whole heart; all the others, I don’t want,” Flick stated.

The news was still fresh when Dro informed Flick of his intention to leave. Club sources reported that Flick encouraged him to reconsider, but Dro reiterated that his decision was based solely on his desire for more playing time, not financial incentives. Subsequently, Flick instructed Dro to leave the first-team dressing room, and he trained alone prior to finalizing his move to PSG. At the same time, Dro’s agent, former Barça midfielder Ivan de la Peña, who also represents Luis Enrique, communicated this decision to sporting director Deco, who was equally taken aback.

Barcelona had intentions to renew Dro’s contract, waiting until he turned 18, which occurred shortly after their Spanish Supercopa victory over Real Madrid in January. On the way back from Saudi Arabia, the club celebrated by sharing a video of teammate Raphinha presenting a birthday cake to Dro, marking the last time he appeared in Barça colors.

Sources involved in the negotiations noted that talks for a new contract had not progressed significantly, and some attributed blame to Barça for not acting swiftly, given the accessibility of the €6 million release clause for major European clubs. However, Barça president Joan Laporta disputed this, asserting that renewal discussions were close to fruition.

Dro leaves Barcelona after making five appearances but had not played since a brief appearance against Atlético Madrid on December 2. Sources close to him indicated that he felt his path to regular playing time at Barça was obstructed. Flick’s tactical setup, which utilized two deep-lying central midfielders and a No. 10, didn’t align with Dro’s strengths; he thrives as one of two advanced midfielders in front of a holding player. Despite his talent, opportunities were limited, with players like Fermín López, Dani Olmo, and Raphinha being prioritized ahead of him.

Over the course of his conversations with Luis Enrique, Dro became convinced that PSG would be a better fit for him at this stage of his career. Other clubs, including Manchester City, Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund, and Bayern Munich, had also shown interest prior to his confirmation with PSG. Once news of his potential departure leaked, several teams contacted de la Peña to gauge the situation, although sources maintained that the PSG deal was not finalized at that time.

Dro’s rise to prominence accelerated last summer when Arnau Blanco joined Flick’s staff after years in the academy, where he had coached Dro. His enthusiasm for Dro significantly influenced Flick’s perception of the player, expediting the young midfielder’s development.

Joining Barça from Galician side Val Miñor at the age of 14 in 2022, Dro quickly made a name for himself. Initially nicknamed “Dro” due to a mispronunciation by his brother, the name stuck amidst numerous other Pedros in the club. Real Madrid had also taken notice of his talent but ultimately failed to secure a deal.

Players like Dro often invite comparisons, and those familiar with his skills have likened him to greats such as Thiago Alcántara, Andrés Iniesta, and even Brazil’s Kaká. Val Miñor coach Javier Roxo remarked on Dro’s unique technical abilities and vision, while another coach noted his exceptional understanding of the game, likening him to Kaká.

Dro made an immediate impact with a spectacular goal during preseason, leading to his competitive debut in LaLiga. A subsequent Champions League start against Olympiacos saw him create a goal for Fermín, making him one of the youngest players to assist in the tournament.

As Dro embarks on this new chapter with PSG, he becomes the latest of La Masia’s highly-rated graduates to leave Barcelona at a young age in search of better opportunities. While some former players have returned to Barça, others have not met the anticipated expectations. Only time will reveal Dro’s trajectory, but PSG has undoubtedly acquired one of the most promising prospects from Barça’s academy in recent years, a fact that Flick’s reaction underscores.