Chelsea have been urged to accelerate their efforts to secure a cut-price deal for a highly-rated Barcelona teenager, with Paris Saint-Germain now emerging as a serious rival for his signature.
PSG Make First Move in Transfer Tussle
According to a fresh update from renowned transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, French giants Paris Saint-Germain have presented a contract proposal to the player and are actively pushing to complete a deal. Romano stated on social media platform X that talks are "already underway behind the scenes" to trigger the youngster's modest €6 million (approx. £5.2 million) release clause.
This development places Chelsea in a direct competition with one of Europe's wealthiest clubs. The Blues, under new manager Liam Rosenior, are known to be keen on continuing their strategy of recruiting promising young talents for affordable fees, often from South America. However, this opportunity involves an exciting European prospect.
The Bargain Talent at the Centre of the Storm
The player in question is Barcelona's 18-year-old attacking midfielder, Dro Fernandez. Despite his youth, he has already gained first-team experience this season, making four appearances in LaLiga and one in the Champions League.
His contract at the Camp Nou runs until 2027, but Barcelona's failure to address his low release clause has put them in a precarious position. With interest mounting from Chelsea, Manchester City, and now PSG, the Catalan club faces a race against time to either convince Fernandez of his long-term future in Spain or risk losing him for a fee considered a bargain in today's market.
Chelsea's Need for Swift Action
For Chelsea, the need for immediate movement is clear. While Rosenior's primary focus will be on securing Champions League football, the club's long-term project hinges on identifying and securing such value-driven opportunities. Allowing PSG to steal a march in negotiations could see the Blues miss out on a significant talent.
The coming days will be critical. Barcelona may yet attempt to improve Fernandez's terms and significantly increase his buy-out clause. However, with concrete steps already being taken by another major European club, Chelsea's recruitment team faces a pressing decision: to match PSG's urgency or risk losing out on a potential future star.
