Barcelona hope to close the deal for 20-year-old defensive starlet next week | OneFootball

Barcelona have shown repeatedly in recent times that their focus is not only on improving the quality of the first team, but also the pipeline to it.

Back in January, Deco and co. wrapped up loan-to-buy deals to bring in the likes of Hamza Abdelkarim and Patricio Pacifico.

The former has already gone on to make an impact for the team’s Juvenil A side and received a call-up to the Egypt squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, prompting the Catalan club to make the signing permanent.

Now, according to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona are hoping to extend Patricio Pacifico’s loan next week, despite the serious injury that interrupted his strong start with Barça Atletic.

The club have already reached an agreement with the 20-year-old Uruguayan defender, and only the final details with Defensor remain to be resolved.

Pacifico’s loan ends on 30 June, but the plan is for him to remain at Barça Atletic for one more season.

Pacifico suffered an ACL injury. (Photo courtesy: FC Barcelona official website)

If the agreement is completed, it would be a clear show of confidence from Barcelona in a player who convinced the club very quickly.

The South American only needed a handful of appearances to make an impression.

Before his ACL injury, the coaching staff had already seen enough to believe he could be useful in the club’s development structure.

Injury did not change Barça’s belief

The original agreement included a purchase option that would become mandatory if Pacifico played 10 matches.

He managed seven games with Barça Atletic, all as a starter, before suffering a torn ACL in his left knee.

Barcelona had already been ready to activate the purchase option anyway, but the injury forced the club to adjust the plan.

Instead of committing immediately, they now want to extend the loan and keep the same pathway open.

The new idea is simple: Pacifico stays on loan for another year, and if he plays the three remaining matches needed to reach the agreed total of 10, he becomes a Barcelona player permanently.

Pacifico will remain at Barcelona. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images for DFB)

That is a fair solution for all sides. Barça protect themselves while still showing faith in the defender.

The youngster gets stability during his recovery, and Defensor remain connected to a deal that can still become permanent.

A smart bet for Barça Atletic

Pacifico is not on holiday. Like other injured players, he is staying in Barcelona and working daily at the Ciutat Esportiva with the club’s specialists.

Recovery from an ACL injury is long and demanding, but being inside Barcelona’s environment gives him the best chance to return properly.

There was so much to like about the Uruguayan before he suffered the serious injury, and it is understandable why the Catalan club want to keep hold of him.

This is exactly the type of low-cost, high-upside operation that makes sense. His adaptation has not been an issue, and the club will hope his recovery is not one either.

If the final details are sorted, this could be a deal that goes through next week, and it remains to be seen what the future holds for Patricio Pacifico in Blaugrana colours.