talkSPORT Exclusive: Man City and Chelsea Compete for 18-Year-Old Barça Academy Winger Dero

January 17 – In an exclusive report by talkSPORT’s Ben Jacobs, Barcelona’s “next Yamal,” 18-year-old winger Dero Fernández, is set to leave the club in a surprising move that has attracted significant interest from top clubs.

According to talkSPORT, **Chelsea and Manchester City** are the frontrunners in the race for the teenager, with Borussia Dortmund also keen.

Additionally, a French club has shown strong interest in Fernández, who has personally confirmed his departure from Barcelona during the winter transfer window.

His current contract includes a **€6 million (£5.1 million) release clause**, which is expected to be triggered imminently.

The attacking midfielder will not remain in Spain, a development that has greatly encouraged the three European giants vying for his signature.

This season, Fernández broke into Barça’s first team under Hansi Flick, making a total of **5 appearances**. Four of those came in La Liga, and he also **started** in a Champions League match against Olympiacos in October.

In that game, he assisted Fermín López’s goal, his only direct contribution for the Spanish giants so far.

However, he has not started a match since then, only making two brief substitute appearances.

The Spanish youth international, a product of the famed La Masia academy, rose through the ranks to become one of Barça’s latest highly touted prospects. Yet his time at Barcelona is ending prematurely, with a likely move to the Premier League or Bundesliga.

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick is reportedly **deeply unhappy** with Fernández’s decision to leave the club, finding it “unbelievable.”

According to Spanish outlet *Sport*, Flick learned on Friday of Fernández’s imminent departure.

He is said to be **“particularly annoyed”** at losing a player he considered crucial for both the present and future of the team.

Reportedly, he has told those close to him that Fernández’s exit is the **“biggest disappointment of his life.”**

Flick had taken special care of the teenage talent but will now have to watch him leave his squad once the deal is finalized.

Source: talkSPORT