Did Luis Enrique convince Barcelona’s Dro Fernández to make PSG move?

Dro Fernández may be the talk of the town in Barcelona and Paris, but those most in the know about the Spain youth international have remained notably tight-lipped.

“I don’t know, I don’t answer – good night,” was the curt response of Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique when asked on Friday about reports that the 18-year-old Barcelona midfielder is on his way to the Parc des Princes.

Back at the Nou Camp, Hansi Flick was barely more forthcoming about the future of a player who graduated from Barcelona’s renowned La Masia academy to make his La Liga debut last September.

What has Barcelona boss Hansi Flick said about rumours Dro Fernández will join PSG?

“I don’t want to answer, because as a coach we give energy and confidence to the players, so that they develop,” said Flick before Sunday’s league defeat at Real Sociedad. “But there are people around him. I want to wait until it’s done. If they say, ‘Now I go to another club,’ then ask me again. But not now.

“The situation today is that the player is here. Dro’s [transfer] is not closed, I don’t want to answer [questions about it]. Things happen in football. Sometimes you may disagree with what [young players] are doing, but they are 18, they are old enough to make decisions. And there are adults who can incite them. I don’t want to talk more, I’ve said enough.”

It was not difficult to read between the lines. Flick clearly believed Fernández, whose contract contains a €6m (£5.2m) termination clause, has had his head turned by someone close to him.

Did Luis Enrique convince Barcelona’s Dro Fernández to join PSG?

What he could not have imagined at that stage was that Enrique may have been the architect of the impending transfer. According to reports in Spain, the former Barcelona star personally convinced Fernández that he would play a more prominent role in Paris than he has in the Catalan capital, where the teenager has allegedly grown frustrated by a perceived lack of involvement.

Fernández has made five league appearances this term and was also handed a first start in the Champions League in October, providing an assist for Fermín López as Barcelona defeated Olympiacos 6-1. 

Alejandro Balde: ‘I hope everyone respects his decision’

While Flick is understood to have been deeply disappointed by the midfielder’s planned departure, reportedly banishing him from first-team training, Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde has offered a more measured view.

“Every player has his career and thinks differently,” said Balde, speaking before Barcelona’s Champions League showdown with Slavia Prague on Wednesday night. “Decisions must be respected. I wish him the best. 

“I’m sure he will do very well, because he has a lot of quality. I got along very well with him, he’s a great guy. I hope everyone respects his decision.”

It is understood that Barcelona are hopeful PSG will agree to pay a €10m fee for Fernández as a goodwill gesture.

Should the teenager leave, he would become the second first-team departure this month, following goalkeeper Marc André ter Stegen’s loan move to Girona.