Barcelona manager Hansi Flick said Marc Bernal will be an important player for the future, but he was not worried about preparing him to play 90 minutes without Pedri. He also answered some questions about Dro Fernandez’s exit from Paris Saint-Germain.
The 18-year-old midfielder moved to PSG this week for €8.5 million, and noted that the Parc des Princes is ‘the best place to develop’. Flick was reportedly furious when he found out Dro was leaving, and Football Director Deco commented that he was not impressed with his performance. Flick previously said he would say more on the matter once the transfer is complete.
“I’ve changed my mind, I don’t want to say anything anymore. I love Dro a lot and of course I’m disappointed, but that’s football. He had a good future here but he made another decision and I have to respect it. That’s football.”
‘Bernal will be an important player for Barcelona’s future’
Another player who is not leaving on loan for more minutes is Marc Bernal, who impressed from the bench in midweek in the Champions League.
“I’m sure he will be an important player for the future of the team. He’s doing well, you saw that against Copenhagen, but he’s a young player who was injured a lot. Step by step, whether he plays 30 or 40 minutes now doesn’t matter. He’s happy with his progress, but it’s true that he wants to play more, like everyone else, but that’s what we have to do.”
“He is good with the ball and without it, he can find the best spaces and make the best decisions. You saw it against Copenhagen, in the second half, how much he has improved in defense, physically he is doing much better, he is on another level physically and he is a great player, and he is great to watch.”
Flick was also asked if players like Marc Casado, who is also determined to stay at the club, and Bernal are examples of La Masia products, and if they liked Barcelona more than Dro.
“I think, as I said, Casado is a great player, and so is Bernal. When you play for Barça and you are a young player, patience is very important because you are playing with the best players in the world at the best club. And that is the most important thing.”
“They feel the colors in their hearts, and it’s good to see it. For them it’s a dream, to see Casado or Bernal and think about the place where they were playing a year or two ago and if they would have thought to be here today. It’s a process; in football, everything can change in an instant. They play for their club and they’re at a high level, and I’m very grateful to all the players who have sense. They really love these players.”
🚨 JUST IN: A deal to renew Fermín López’s contract is imminent. FC Barcelona and the player will sign the final documents today, and the announcement could come in the next few hours. Fermín will extend until 2031 with a salary adjustment to match the player… pic.twitter.com/v9zaycrDgm
– barcacentre (@barcacentre) January 30, 2026
Hansi Flick in the transfer business
Barcelona president Joan Laporta announced there would be no more business in the transfer window earlier in the day, and Flick said he was happy with the business that had been done.
“Yes, I am satisfied with the team. The injured players will return: Pedri is in the middle of his recovery, Gavi is also training more than before, and we will see what happens. Andreas too. I have a big, high-quality team, but also players from the reserve team and La Masia who have the level of playing one, two, or three games. Tommy is doing a great job and I’am’am from Laç is very happy, Jofre from Laç is very happy and top level Atlètic.”
Flick did not mention Joao Cancelo, who arrived on loan from Al-Hilal. The only thing that happened to the first team was the loan exit of Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who is playing for Girona until the end of the season.
