Barça and PSG strike £7.2m Dro deal as midfielder makes shock exit
Barcelona's promising midfielder Dro is heading to Paris after a surprise transfer agreement worth €8.5m was reached between the clubs.
Barcelona’s rising talent Dro is Paris-bound after the Catalan giants agreed to sell him to PSG for €8.5 million (£7.2m), bringing an end to a rather surprising transfer saga.
Unexpected departure
The deal comes after a proper dog’s dinner of a situation that started about ten days ago when the player’s agent, Iván de la Peña, informed Barcelona that Dro wanted to activate his €6 million release clause. This news went down like a lead balloon at Camp Nou, where the club was blindsided by the midfielder’s desire to leave.
What makes this particularly strange is that Dro had been gradually integrated into the first team under Hansi Flick, even making his senior debut last September. The gaffer was reportedly the most miffed of the lot when learning about Dro’s intentions.
From isolation to Paris
Flick’s reaction was swift and decisive:
- Immediately banished Dro from first-team activities
- Player has been training alone since January 16th
- No involvement with any Barcelona teams since expressing his desire to leave
Smart business for both clubs
Rather than simply letting the player trigger his release clause, the two European heavyweights entered negotiations for a proper transfer. The outcome benefits both parties:
- Barcelona pockets more than the €6m release clause
- PSG pays less in overall costs by avoiding the tax implications of activating the clause directly
After some back and forth negotiations, the clubs settled on the €8.5m fee. All that remains now is the signing of contracts and official announcements.
The transfer represents another young talent departing La Masia, though in rather more controversial circumstances than most. Dro will join PSG immediately, where he’ll hope to continue his development in the French capital.