'Now negotiating' - Arsenal dealt transfer blow over highly-rated Barcelona youngster

Arsenal had been courting the Barcelona teenager but the Catalan giants have now opened negotiations on a long-term deal.
Toby Bryant
By Toby Bryant
Published 17th Apr 2024, 12:31 BST
Updated 17th Apr 2024, 13:06 BST
Arsenal had been linked with a move for the Barcelona teenager.Arsenal had been linked with a move for the Barcelona teenager.
Arsenal had been linked with a move for the Barcelona teenager.

Barcelona are in the process of negotiating a new long-term deal with up-and-coming wonderkid Marc Bernal amid transfer interest from some of the continent's biggest football clubs, including Arsenal.

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano confirmed the update on Wednesday morning with Bernal tipped to follow in the footsteps of Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Xavi as a future global star from the Catalan academy.

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According to The Hard Tackle, Arsenal were one of the clubs 'keen' to pounce on the young talent. The Gunners were named as interested suitors alongside Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen and Serie A giants Juventus - with all outfits said to be 'incredibly attentive' to the 16-year-old's situation.

Romano said: "Understand Barcelona talent Marc Bernal (2007) is now negotiating new long term deal at the club. Early stages but talks on as he signed with new agency CMG Sports.

"Bernal has attracted interest from Premier League, Serie A and Bundesliga but Barça remains his priority."

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Bernal was already contracted at Barcelona until 2026 but pressure to improve his deal came amid reports of a £5 million release clause in the teenager's current contract. Should Bernal reach the heights he is tipped to, that fee would have been a snip for Arsenal and others.

Arsenal had been linked with a move for the Barcelona teenager.Arsenal had been linked with a move for the Barcelona teenager.
Arsenal had been linked with a move for the Barcelona teenager.

Barcelona already renewed the player's deal last summer and, at that time, Spanish outlet SPORT claimed he was 'one of the most talented players in the youth system and with an indisputable projection'.

The outlet added: "Marc Bernal is an atypical player in La Masia due to his physical strength and quality. He is a modern player who usually plays as an interior midfielder and has great finishing ability. He breaks the prototypes of footballers trained by the Blaugrana club, with power and a very fine left foot. Many European teams have been following him as his development points to him being a top-level player in the future."

Related topics:BarcelonaLionel MessiPremier LeagueArsenal

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