Young player wearing a blue and red jersey in front of the yellow and black Borussia Dortmund crest against a purple background

Barça already consider him lost: Dro and Fermín are forcing him to leave, he's heading to Dortmund

There could be a significant loss in the blaugrana youth academy

Barça have many options in attacking midfield. To begin with, Dani Olmo and Fermín. The competition between them will be interesting this year, since both want to be starters.

A player with the number 16 on his jersey celebrates on his knees with arms outstretched in a stadium.
Fermín López in a goal | @FCBarcelona

Dani Olmo arrived last summer as a star signing, while Fermín is coming off a breakthrough season. This abundance of talent forces Flick to manage minutes to keep everyone motivated.

Raphinha, another alternative

The list of options for attacking midfield doesn't end there. Raphinha can also play that role. Flick has already tried him in that position on several occasions, looking to take advantage of his ability to link up and his runs from deep.

The Brazilian brings a different touch: more directness and a threat in behind, breaking the opponent's defensive structure. Raphinha, in certain matches, can move Olmo or Fermín to other areas of the field, which reinforces the feeling of "overbooking" of players in attacking midfield.

Pedro Fernández “Dro”, the revelation of preseason

Pedro Fernández, known in the academy as "Dro", is also joining the list of attacking midfielders. At just 17 years old (17 años), this La Masia midfielder has burst onto the scene in preseason, leaving a very good impression on both the coaching staff and the fans. His vision, tactical maturity, and ability to thread passes have surprised many for someone his age.

Dro has not only shown technical quality, but also the character to ask for the ball and lead plays in friendlies against strong opponents. Flick is seriously considering giving him minutes during the season, although gradually, so that his development isn't interrupted by pressure.

Possible departure in La Masia

The excess of options in attacking midfield also has its negative effects. Guille Fernández, another of La Masia's gems, could see his progress blocked by fierce competition in his position. The young talent needs minutes to keep growing, and at Barça it seems difficult for him to get them in the short term.

A football player wearing an FC Barcelona shirt in a stadium.
Guille Fernández in a match with the B team | @guillefc.70

According to several reports, both Borussia Dortmund and Porto have shown interest in acquiring his services. Both clubs are known for betting on young talents and giving them a leading role in the first team. If the situation doesn't change, Guille's departure could become one of the moves of the transfer window, a difficult decision for Barça, which doesn't want to lose the jewel.