Newcastle United latest news: PSG have been slammed by Barcelona after completing the signing of one of Barca’s top prospects.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has taken aim at PSG following an ‘unpleasant situation’ surrounding the French side’s capture of one of Barcelona’s brightest young talents.
PSG, who host Newcastle United tonight in their final league phase match of this season’s Champions League, announced the signing of midfielder Dro Fernandez from Barcelona earlier this week. Fernandez made the switch from Spain to the French capital for around £7.1m earlier this week - a fee slightly higher than his release clause.
Speaking earlier this season about the 18-year-old, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick warned the midfielder about moving away from the Camp Nou: “We give them the opportunity to train with us, to grow, every day, with the best players in the world. We give them the opportunity, we give them the support, believe in them, the confidence,” he said.
“If you want to play for Barca, then [do it] 100% with your whole heart. This is what I want to say to everyone who is now with us, or in the future with us, this must be 100%.
“These colours, you have to live for them, this is what I want to see. All the others I don't want, this is what I can say. Sometimes you do not agree with what they are doing, but they are 18, they are old enough to make the decisions, they have people around them.”
Barcelona president slams PSG
Fernandez’s move to Paris, though, has angered some at Barcelona - including their president. Speaking to Catalunya Radio about Fernandez’s move to PSG, Joan Laporta said: “It has been an unpleasant situation.
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“It came as a surprise because we had agreed on a different solution for when he turned 18. Surprisingly, his representative told us he couldn't follow through on what we'd agreed to.”
Having come through the ranks at La Masia since joining in 2022, Fernandez had made an impact in Flick’s first-team this season, featuring on five occasions. One of those appearances came in the Champions League against Olympiacos earlier this season.
Fernandez has signed a long-term deal at the Parc des Princes which will keep him at the club until 2030. He will wear the number 27 shirt during his time in the French capital.
However, UEFA rules mean he won’t be eligible to feature against Newcastle United tonight.
Although these rules mean players are not cup-tied and eligible to play for multiple clubs in the same competition across the same season, Fernandez will be unable to play in PSG’s final Champions League group phase match against Newcastle United because PSG have already submitted their Champions League squad list for the league phase and the deadline to make any changes has passed.
This rule was implemented ahead of the new league phase format to stop any January transfer window signings from playing in the competition until after the league phase has completed.
PSG, like the Magpies, have already secured their progress to the knockout phase of the Champions League and so Fernandez will be able to play in their next game. When that will be will be determined by their result at the Parc des Princes this evening.
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