Barcelona change their strategy with La Masia players leaving the club | OneFootball

Barcelona have had a busy summer transfer window, which came to an end last week. Notwithstanding the exciting new signings headlined by Rodri, the club were also quite busy in sealing several exits.

Multiple young players across the youth teams left in favour of making a professional breakthrough elsewhere, which is indeed a blow for the club.

However, Barcelona have masterfully maintained control over these players through various clauses in these exit deals.

Barcelona’s control over exiting players

As reported by SPORT, Barcelona adopted a radically different strategy this summer when dealing with La Masia players who had no place in Hansi Flick’s first team but could not continue in the reserve side in the Segunda RFEF.

Deco has played a key role in Barcelona’s transfer strategy. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

The club were clear from the outset that the priority was permanent transfers, generating funds to aid their financial situation while always retaining a degree of control.

In every case, Barcelona held onto a percentage of a future sale, ranging from 50% for the likes of Jofre Torrens, Toni Fernandez and Alvaro Cortes, to 40% for Guille Fernandez and slightly less for Tommy Marques.

The buy-back clauses were structured around the size of the transfer fee.

The larger the fee a club paid, the smaller the percentage Barcelona retained, a deliberate approach devised by Deco.

Hopes of a profitable return

The buy-back figures reflect Barcelona’s genuine belief in the potential of these young players and could later serve as a revenue source.

Alvaro Cortes was one of many key exits. (Picture credit: Instagram/@alvaarocortes)

Jofre’s buy-back clause has been set at €14 million, while those of Guille and Toni are understood to range between €10 and €15 million, all active from 2028.

In the case of Tommy Marques, who joined Braga for €11 million plus €3 million in variables, Barcelona did not retain a buy-back option.

Of all the departures, Alvaro Cortes is perhaps the most ready-made talent, having already established himself as an undisputed starter at Royal Antwerp. Barcelona clearly view him as a professional destined for a high level.

Some of these players may yet return to triumph at Barcelona, while others will forge their paths elsewhere.

But by retaining sell-on percentages and buy-back clauses, the club have ensured they remain firmly in control of their academy graduates’ futures.