Al-Ittihad now wants to sign 20-year-old Barcelona quarry midfield gem | OneFootball

FC Barcelona is often considered a great place for aspiring youngsters to completely transform themselves. The Catalan club has always given a priority to developing young talents and it continues to do so even today. However, to succeed with the Barcelona first team, a lot of things need to go a certain way for youngsters.

Already, there are a lot of impressive young players in the Barcelona first team under Hansi Flick. The likes of Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsi, Pedri, and Gavi need no introductions, and there are others as well who have shown themselves to have the ability to succeed and thrive under the greatest pressure.

Such players are often rewarded for their efforts, and Barcelona continues to pay special attention to them. Renewing their contracts is often a priority, and it is always for sporting reasons more than any financial gain that could be involved.

However, there are also players in the subsidiary that are simply waiting for their own chance to blossom. While some players, such as Toni Fernandez, have ended up getting their opportunities to debut for the first team, there are many others who are yet to taste that feeling.

One such player is Unai Hernandez, a 20-year-old midfielder who represents Barça Atletic and has been one of the team’s most notable players. However, due to a lack of involvement with the first team, there is a possibility that he could now be on his way out.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad is now directly negotiating with the player to secure his services and take him away from Barcelona. Led by their director Ramon Planes, who formerly worked with the Catalan giants, they wish to make him a player for the Middle Eastern side.

However, despite the fact that Hernandez’s current contract expires in the summer, Barcelona have the option to extend it for two extra years. As a result of this, Al-Ittihad would have to pay a transfer fee, potentially around €5 million, to secure his signing.

Formerly from Girona, where he spent most of his developmental years, Unai Hernandez joined Barcelona in 2022. While he may be a recent acquisition, he undoubtedly has the quality to stand out as one of the key performers within the subsidiary.

Recently, Barça Atletic coach Albert Sanchez even left him on the bench for the game against Ourense and this has only fueled speculations about what the future holds for him. With Hansi Flick certainly not having him in his plans despite the depth he provides, it seems that the end of the road for both Hernandez and Barcelona could be close.