Deco meets La Masia starlet’s agent as Barcelona reconsider youngster’s future | OneFootball

Brian Farinas’ impressive start to preseason has given FC Barcelona plenty to think about, with the club now reassessing plans that had previously pointed towards an exit this summer.

According to SPORT, sporting director Deco met with the midfielder’s agent, Borja Garcia, on Thursday to discuss the next steps for one of the standout performers in Hansi Flick’s early preseason sessions.

Before preseason began, Barcelona and Girona were reportedly close to reaching an agreement that would have seen the Catalan club purchase 50 percent of Farinas’ rights for around €1.5 million.

However, the move has now been frozen.

The biggest reason is Flick himself. The Barcelona coach has been impressed by the 19-year-old’s performances in training and wants to continue evaluating him before any final decision is made.

Farinas has earned that opportunity through hard work. After an excellent season with the reserve team, he reportedly took only three days off during the summer before working individually with a fitness coach to arrive at preseason in peak condition.

That commitment has not gone unnoticed inside the club.

First-team chance now within reach

The message emerging from Barcelona is straightforward.

Farinas is considered ready for a bigger challenge than reserve-team football. If he does not remain with the first team, the preference is for him to move somewhere he can play at a higher competitive level rather than return to Barca Atletic.

That feels like a sensible approach.

Barcelona have spoken repeatedly about creating a pathway for La Masia graduates, and preseason is exactly where players like Farinas can force themselves into the conversation. With Frenkie de Jong sidelined through injury and midfield places available to compete for, there is a genuine opportunity to impress.

The youngster is expected to feature again in Friday’s behind-closed-doors friendly against CE Europa and is also set to travel to England for Barcelona’s preseason camp.

Those matches could prove decisive.

Farinas has already achieved the hardest part by catching Flick’s attention. Now he has the chance to show that his strong start is not simply a good first impression, but evidence that he is ready to compete for a place in Barcelona’s senior squad.