Flick puts brakes on the sale of a Barcelona youth academy player

The coach of the blue and red team has rejected the departure of one of Barça Atlètic's promises.

Mario Roldán Martínez | 14 Jul 2026 | 18.15
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<p>Hansi Flick, in a press conference / AP Agency</p>
<p>Hansi Flick, in a press conference / AP Agency</p>

La Liga
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Barcelona Athletic Club
16/08/26 17:00:00
1.42 4.75 6.25

Brian Fariñas has seen how his future took an unexpected turn in a matter of hours. Just when it seemed that the young midfielder would head to Girona to continue his progression, Hansi Flick has decided to halt the operation and keep the youth player in Barcelona's preseason. The German coach wants to personally assess the player before authorizing any departure, convinced that there is still room for him to earn a place within the Blaugrana project.

The decision completely alters the roadmap designed by the sports management. The agreement with Girona was well advanced, and all parties saw the operation as an excellent opportunity for the player to gain minutes at the elite level. However, Flick's direct intervention has forced the negotiations to be put on hold until the end of the preparation period.

The coach believes that preseason should serve to closely analyze several young players from the academy before making final decisions. Brian Fariñas is part of that group of youngsters who will have the opportunity to demonstrate that they can provide solutions to the first team during the new season.

Brian Fariñas earns an opportunity with Flick

Flick's commitment to observing Brian Fariñas reflects a philosophy that the German coach has already shown in previous stages of his career. The coach has always emphasized the importance of young players' work during preseason, prioritizing performance over any previous planning.

Barcelona considers the midfielder to have very interesting qualities for the future. His ability to interpret the game, his ball control, and his personality in build-up play have made the academy player one of the most highly valued within the youth categories.

Although the leap to the first team remains a huge challenge, the coaching staff understands that the best way to assess his level is to expose him to the daily demands of training alongside the more experienced players in the squad.

A decision that disrupts Girona's plans

The main casualty of this change in scenario is Girona, who was counting on incorporating the young player as a short and long-term investment to strengthen their midfield.

The Catalan club had made significant progress in talks with the player's entourage and was confident of closing the deal before the start of preseason. However, Flick's explicit request has led to a halt in the process until the coach makes a definitive decision on Brian Fariñas's future.

Montilivi remains attentive to the situation and does not rule out reactivating negotiations if Barcelona ultimately deems that the midfielder needs to gain experience away from Camp Nou.

Barcelona maintains its commitment to the youth academy

Flick's decision also confirms the continuing importance of the academy within Barcelona's project. The German coach wants firsthand knowledge of the level of the most promising players before finalizing the squad for the 2026/2027 season.

In recent years, the club has shown that La Masia graduates continue to play a leading role within the first team. Recent cases like Pau Cubarsí, Marc Casadó, or Lamine Yamal have further strengthened confidence in the work carried out in the Blaugrana academy.

Brian Fariñas now aspires to follow the same path. Although the competition in midfield is fierce, preseason could be a decisive opportunity to attract the attention of the coaching staff.

The stance of Flick is strictly sports-oriented. The coach does not want to authorize the departure of a player without first checking what his contribution could be within the dynamics of the first team.

This approach delays any negotiations with Girona, but it also benefits the player, who will have several weeks to demonstrate his qualities in a highly demanding context. His performance in training and friendly matches will be crucial in defining his future.

If he convinces the German coach, Brian Fariñas could remain with the Blaugrana throughout the season. Otherwise, the club would reconsider a loan or transfer to ensure quality playing time for his ongoing development.

For now, the only certainty is that Brian Fariñas will continue working under Flick's guidance during Barcelona's preseason. The operation with Girona, which seemed fully on track, is now on hold as the coach analyzes whether the young midfielder can become a valid alternative for the first team. His future will depend solely on what he can demonstrate on the field in the coming weeks.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Flick frena la venta de un canterano del Barcelona