SANT JOAN DESPI, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 05: Hansi Flick, head coach of FC Barcelona, attends his press conference during the training day of FC Barcelona ahead the Spanish League, LaLiga EA Sports, football match against Valencia CF at Ciudad Esportiva Joan Gamper on September 05, 2026 in Sant Joan Despi, Barcelona, Spain. (Photo By Javier Borrego/Europa Press via Getty Images)
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick says it’s not easy to sell La Masia graduates after a summer transfer window which saw a host of young stars depart.
The Catalans have waved goodbye to Tommy Marques, Ansu Fati, Inaki Pena, Jofre Torrents, Hector Fort, Alvaro Cortes, Toni and Guille Fernandez as well as Marc Casado over the last few weeks.
Flick says it’s a tough job telling promising young players to move on but insists it’s the best thing for both parties.
“We work together at the club. We decided on signings with Deco. After the departures, we had to sign new players,” he told a press conference.
“For me, it’s not easy to let players from La Masia leave and tell them to go and improve. I know their dream is to play for Barça. But here we want to win titles, raise the level of the team. For now, we’re doing well.”
Flick does still have plenty of youthful options in and around the first team.
Xavi Espart and Brian Farinas have both been promoted to the senior squad this summer, while there are high hopes that players such as Iu Martinez, Ebrima Tunkara and Ibrahima Diarra can follow in their footsteps.