Barcelona academy midfielder travels to Portugal to complete €11 million transfer | OneFootball

According to JIjantes (h/t SPORT), FC Barcelona youngster Tommy Marques is heading to Portugal.

The La Masia midfielder will travel to Braga this Thursday to complete his transfer to SC Braga, after the two clubs reached a definitive agreement over his move.

€11 million for Barcelona

The deal was initially set at €10 million fixed plus €2 million in variables, but the final terms have changed.

Barcelona will now receive €11 million in fixed fees for the young midfielder, according to the report.

The agreement is complete, pending the final formalities and Marqués signing his new contract with the Portuguese club.

The midfielder’s departure nearly became complicated at the last minute.

Tommy Marques is on his way out. (Picture credit: Instagram/@tommy.marques)

Ajax showed concrete interest in the player, an approach that made Marques reconsider his options and briefly opened the door to a change of destination.

Ultimately, however, the player chose Braga’s project and the agreement with Barcelona remained on track.

Barça retain control over the player

Although the full details of the agreement are still to be confirmed, Barcelona will retain a right of first refusal over the midfielder and will be informed of any potential offers.

This is a part of the Blaugrana sporting director Deco’s new approach to young players who do not have a place in the first-team squad.

The formula allows Barcelona to generate significant income from the departures of academy players while also maintaining a degree of control over their future.

Another youth player set to leave. (Picture credit: Instagram/@tommy.marques)

Tommy had a reserve-team registration last season, but he was regularly involved in Hansi Flick’s first-team setup.

The midfielder made his Barça debut at Spotify Camp Nou against Mallorca and also featured in the defeat to Alaves on the penultimate matchday of La Liga.

While it seemed like he would be replacing Marc Casado in the squad this season, the arrival of Rodri, coupled with the emergence of Xavi Espart and Brian Farinas, changed things for the 19-year-old.

Now, Tommy is heading to Braga to complete his departure from Barcelona, who will receive a fixed fee of €11 million for the La Masia midfield prospect.