Manchester City close in on Barcelona midfielder – Can ‘finalise deal in coming days’

Manchester City are leading the race to sign Barcelona’s Dro Fernández.

That’s according to El Desmarque, and they cover the latest on the 18-year-old’s future at Barcelona.

Dro initially joined Barcelona’s academy from ED Val Miñor Nigrán in 2022. He made his way into the first team earlier this season and Manchester City had a role in it.

On November 15th, Sport reported Pep Guardiola’s made a lucrative offer to sign the young attacker last summer. They stated the terms proposed by the Citizens were ‘far superior’ to his current contract at the Camp Nou.

This prompted Hansi Flick to promote the Spain U18 international to the first team in September. He’s failed to score and contributed one assist from five appearances so far.

Manchester City have returned for the youngster and are in the mix with several others to sign him.

Dro turned 18 years of age on January 12th, subsequently Barcelona’s plan was to extend his contract on his birthday. His deal expires in 2027, and it has a €6m release clause. However, they haven’t finalised the renewal yet, allowing several clubs to enter the battle for his signature.

The report only mentions the Premier League side and states they are the ‘frontrunner’.

El Desmarque found out from sources close to Dro that Manchester City’s sporting project, commitment towards him and the Guardiola factor ‘weighed heavily in his decision’.

Manchester City hover: Dro tells Barcelona he’s done

Dro informed Flick of his desire to leave Barcelona on Friday morning. This has led to ‘surprise and unease’ at the Camp Nou, and the La Liga winners aren’t giving up yet. They plan to launch a last-ditch attempt to retain him. They may not be successful.

According to El Desmarque, Flick’s decision to not use him regularly and a lack of progress over the contract renewal saw Dro seek a move away from Barcelona.

Manchester City are ahead in the race and could ‘finalise the deal in the coming days’.

Whether Dro’s camp are simply using dramatics to get a bigger renewal offer remains to be seen.