La Masia has been a major pipeline for Barcelona 's first team in recent seasons, and Hansi Flick has really leaned into trusting the academy.
However, not every talented player in the academy is fortunate enough to earn the German manager's complete trust.
This could be due to various reasons, sometimes unrelated to the quality of the player, with competition for places in the first team immense.
Now, according to SPORT , Barça are preparing to make important decisions over Toni Fernandez and Guille Fernandez , with neither La Masia prospect currently expected to have a permanent place in the first-team squad this season.
Both youngsters continue to be highly rated, but the competition for places has made regular first-team football extremely difficult.
Barcelona must now find solutions that allow them to continue developing rather than spending the season without meaningful minutes.
Toni made his senior debut under Flick last season, but Barcelona's depth in attacking midfield and on the wings has effectively closed the first-team door for now.
Toni Fernandez is likely to leave Barcelona this summer. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
With his time at Barça Atlètic also considered finished, the club are studying two possibilities: a loan or a permanent transfer in which Barcelona retain a significant percentage of his rights.
The youngster continues to attract interest from both the Bundesliga and Premier League, so finding a destination should not be difficult.
For Barça , the priority should be maintaining control over his future. Toni remains a significant talent, and selling him outright without protection would carry unnecessary risk.
Guille's situation is slightly different, but the outcome could be similar.
The midfielder has been one of the positive surprises in pre-season training, yet Flick does not currently see enough space for him in the senior squad.
Barcelona's original plan was to extend his contract, which currently runs until 2027, by another four or five years before sending him out on loan.
However, the interest in him means that the club may have to make decisions regarding a permanent departure with a potential buy-back option.
Newcastle United are interested in Guille Fernandez. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)
Newcastle United are still pushing for Guille after Barcelona rejected a significant proposal from the Premier League club in January.
There is also further interest from England and Spain . That demand demonstrates the unusual problem Barça have created through the strength of La Masia .
Toni and Guille are not being pushed aside because the club have stopped believing in them. Their pathway is blocked because Flick already has significant competition in the positions they occupy.
The crucial aspect now is handling their development in the best possible way. This could be a competitive loan deal or a sale with a buy-back option.
Even if the brothers were sold this summer, it should not be seen as a goodbye and has all the potential of a see you later for the Catalan club.
Toni and Guille are incredibly talented, and it remains to be seen where they move to take the next decisive step in their careers.
