Barcelona director sends pointed message to Dro after PSG move: ‘Sometimes the people involved aren’t the right ones’ | OneFootball

Barcelona sporting director Deco has spoken publicly for the first time about the departure of Pedro ‘Dro’ Fernandez following his recent move to Paris Saint-Germain.

Having had his first-team breakthrough at Barça this season, the 18-year-old prodigy opted to leave the club this month, signing for PSG in a deal worth around €8 million.

Dro’s departure came as a shock to Barcelona, and left manager Hansi Flick angry and frustrated, considering the time he had invested in nurturing the youngster.

And, Deco, too, showed a hint of frustration when speaking about the attacking midfielder’s exit in an interview with TNT Sports Brazil (h/t Mundo Deportivo).

“Dro was a kid who turned 16 in January 2024 and signed his first professional contract in March. During this period, he came to see us two or three times. We don’t care who the agent is, but rather the player’s profile,” said Deco.

Continuing about how Barcelona had a lot of faith in the youngster, he added: “At the start of last season, he came to train with the first team, Flick liked him, and even though there were several players in that position, the coach took a liking to him.

“In Dro’s case, he had a €6 million clause, like most players who sign their first contract, and all I could do was explain our idea for him and the context in which he could grow here. The coach helped, he made him train and took him to pre-season.

“The disappointment was a little bit because of that. With all due respect to PSG, which is a spectacular club and where I have friends, such as Luis Campos.”

Dro left Barcelona for PSG. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

The Barcelona sporting director made it clear that, if he were in Dro’s position, he would not have left.

“If I were young and playing for Barcelona, I wouldn’t change anything, but everyone makes their own choices. We all know that influences exist, we don’t know if it’s down to his parents, but it’s his decision, it’s not a financial issue,” Deco stated.

Talking about the negotiations with PSG, which allowed Barcelona to sell Dro for a higher fee than the €6 million release clause in his contract, the director added:

“We reached an agreement with Paris because of the good relations that exist, but Paris has no influence on this decision.”

Taking a sly dig at his entourage, the Barcelona transfer chief noted: “I hope he’s happy and that he grows as a player, although it’s important not to rush him, whether here or in Paris, as that could be detrimental.

“Sometimes the methods and the people involved are not the right ones.”

Despite everything, Deco insisted on putting the situation into perspective. “There is no need to make a drama out of it. He was in the first-team dynamic, like other players, he made that decision and that is that,” he concluded.