Three La Masia talents who could fill the space being left by Dro at Barcelona | OneFootball

The imminent departure of Pedro ‘Dro’ Fernandez, who has just turned 18, during the ongoing transfer window comes as a huge blow for Barcelona.

After all, the Blaugrana had immense faith in the player’s potential, with manager Hansi Flick seeing the youngster as a personal bet. So much so that the German brought him into the first-team fold this season, bypassing Juvenil A and Barça Atletic.

Paris Saint-Germain have emerged as the likeliest destination for Dro, with a verbal agreement between the club and the player almost secured, following which they will pay his €6 million release clause to swoop him away.

It does come as a big blow, but Barcelona are well-stocked in the attacking midfield. Fermin Lopez and Dani Olmo are battling it out while Gavi is close to returning from injury.

Moreover, La Masia continues to produce players with similar profiles – interior midfielders and attacking midfielders – who are knocking on the first-team doors. With that in mind, here are three academy gems who could fill the space being left by Dro.

Toni Fernandez

Toni Fernandez is a player Flick admires. (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images)

Toni Fernandez was very much in a similar position last season to what Dro found himself in the ongoing campaign in Hansi Flick’s plans.

Indeed, during the 2024/25 campaign, Toni was a regular in first-team training sessions and matchday squads, and played minutes in the Copa del Rey at just 16.

This season, though, he has fallen out of Flick’s immediate plans, although the German tactician continues to monitor his progress at Barça Atletic. It must be noted that he did play in a La Liga match this term.

Primarily starting out as a forward, Toni, now 17 years old, is adapting to roles as an attacking midfielder, and is someone who has goals in him. He has three goals and two assists for Barça Atletic from 12 appearances in the current campaign.

Ebrima Tunkara

Already playing for Juvenil A at just 15, Ebrima Tunkara will turn 16 in March and is close to signing his first professional contract with Barcelona.

The teenage gem’s natural position is as an interior midfielder, offering quality, goals and physical presence. He made his debut for Barça Atletic recently in the Copa Catalunya and has been called up to the Spain Under-17 squad already.

Ebrima, given his potential and high ceiling, is expected to break into the Barcelona first team at a very young age, much like Lamine Yamal.

Juan Hernandez

Juan Hernandez poised for a first-team breakthrough. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

A player held in very high regard by Flick, Juan Hernandez is a special talent who has already trained with the first-team setup on many occasions and has also been named in matchday squads for a number of matches.

Having been an integral part of the successful Juvenil A side last season, Hernandez is now a key part of Barça Atletic, with four goals and three assists from 17 appearances in the current campaign.

An attacking midfielder capable of operating in a slightly deeper role or even on the left flank, the 18-year-old’s first-team breakthrough at Barcelona seems only a matter of time and he could very well fill the gap created by Dro’s imminent departure.