The Barcelona president is upset with the decision to transfer Drew to Saint-Germain

Barcelona club president Joan Laporta expressed his dissatisfaction with the decision of the talented young player Drew Fernandes to leave the ranks of the Spanish champions and move to the French European champions Paris Saint-Germain, despite his prior agreement on a new contract with the Catalan club, describing it as “annoying.”

The 18-year-old midfielder is preparing to join the French champions, and local media reported that the Parisian club will pay Barcelona an amount slightly more than the value of the release clause of $7 million (6 million euros) as a gesture of goodwill.

“We will talk when it is done,” Laporta told Catalunya Radio late Sunday evening. “It was an annoying situation.”

The Barcelona president added: “It was surprising, because we had agreed on a different solution when he reached the age of eighteen.” He continued: “Surprisingly, his agent told us that he could not abide by what we agreed upon.”

Laporta indicated that Barcelona is able to “change the situation as it was presented to it,” apparently referring to the possibility of obtaining up to 8.5 million euros for Drew from Saint-Germain, instead of the amount stipulated in the contract termination clause.

Drew, who is from Galicia in northwest Spain, joined Barcelona’s “La Masia” youth academy, considered the best in the world, in 2022, and has since participated in 8 matches with the first team.

Earlier this month, German coach Hansi Flick, Barcelona coach, expressed his disappointment with Drew’s imminent departure.

The German coach, who gave Drew his first chance to participate with the first team in September 2025, said: “What I would like to say to the young players from the La Masia Academy is that we are Barcelona, ​​and one of the best teams in the world.”

He added: “We give them the opportunity to train with us and grow every day with the best players in the world. We provide them with the opportunity, provide them with support, believe in their abilities, and give them confidence.”

He continued, saying: “If you want to play for Barcelona, ​​do it with all your heart. This is what I would like to say to everyone who is with us now, or will join us in the future. This should be your goal 100%.”

He concluded by saying: “These colors, you must live for them. This is what I want to see.” “I don’t want anything else, that’s all I can say.”