Barcelona’s Toni Fernandez set for Venezia move with €4m clause

Barcelona have confirmed the departure of 18-year-old forward Toni Fernandez, who is joining Italian club Venezia FC after eight years with the Catalan side.

The agreement ends Fernandez’s time at Barcelona but includes provisions that could allow the club to bring him back. Barcelona retain a buy-back option and will also receive a percentage of any future transfer involving the player.

Venezia said the deal initially takes the form of a loan, with an obligation to make the transfer permanent if specific conditions are met. According to Mundo Deportivo, the mandatory purchase clause will be activated once Fernandez has made three appearances for his new Italian club, with the fee set at €4m.

Fernandez joined Barcelona’s academy, La Masia, in the summer of 2018 after arriving from Espanyol. He progressed through the club’s youth teams before making the step up to the senior squad.

His first-team debut came on 4 January 2025 in Barcelona’s Copa del Rey match against Barbastro. He came on as a substitute for Pablo Torre in that game.

At 16 years, five months and 17 days, Fernandez became Barcelona’s second-youngest first-team player of the 21st century, behind Lamine Yamal.

He was given another opportunity during the previous season by German manager Hansi Flick. Flick named him in the starting line-up against Girona at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, although Fernandez was substituted at half-time.

Fernandez made only two appearances for Barcelona’s senior side before deciding to pursue a new challenge in Italian football. Despite his departure, Barcelona have retained the possibility of re-signing him in the future.

Speaking to Venezia’s official website, Fernandez said: “I chose Venezia because of the important project they presented to me and the confidence they showed in me from the very first moment. Leaving home is never easy, but I am very excited to give my best and face this new challenge.”

He added: “As soon as I learned of Venezia’s interest in signing me, I started following the team’s matches, and I want to tell the fans that together, we can and must achieve our goals.”

The move gives Fernandez the chance to continue his development away from Barcelona after spending most of his footballing education at the club. It also provides Venezia with a young player who has already made his senior debut at one of Europe’s most prominent clubs, while Barcelona have protected their long-term interest through the buy-back and future-sale provisions.