This summer, FC Barcelona have identified several youth players whose cycle with the reserve team, Barça Atletic, has come to an end, but do not have a space in the first-team squad.
While they had been called up to pre-season with the senior team, the players marked for an exit have been training away from the rest of the group over the past week.
Of them, Jofre Torrents has already joined AFC Ajax on a permanent transfer, while midfielder Tommy Marques is close to completing a move to Portuguese club SC Braga.
Now, two more prodigious La Masia prospects are edging closer to a departure, with cousins Guille Fernandez and Toni Fernandez now poised to say goodbye, according to journalist Albert Fernandez .
As per the report, Guille is close to signing for Premier League Newcastle United.
The promising midfielder had been earmarked as one for the future at Barcelona and is held in high regard by the coaching staff.
Guille Fernandez on his way to Newcastle. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)
However, given the current competition for places in midfield, there is simply no place for the 18-year-old prodigy in Hansi Flick's squad.
A return to Barça Atletic is not seen as viable as they continue to compete in the Spanish fourth division, which is why Guille will now be leaving the club permanently.
A transfer to Newcastle United is now understood to be close, with the Magpies having already tried to sign the La Masia gem in January .
Meanwhile, Guille's cousin Toni is understood to be on his way to Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen.
One of the academy players rated very highly by Flick, the 18-year-old attacking midfielder has taken part in first-team pre-season for three summers in a row under the German.
Toni Fernandez headed for Germany. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)
However, regular minutes in the senior setup cannot be guaranteed, considering that Barcelona have the likes of Dani Olmo , Fermin Lopez , Gavi , and others competing for the same role.
As such, he will now leave Barcelona in search of first-team opportunities, with Bayer Leverkusen now emerging as the best-placed club to sign him.
Like with the deals for Torrents and Tommy Marques, Barcelona are expected to retain some degree of control over Guille and Toni's future through buyback options and future sell-on clauses.
Both players are in the final year of their respective contracts with the Blaugrana , and as such, might not fetch a big fee.
But, given their unquestionable talent and potential, Barça do not wish to lose full control over their future if they go on to explode at their new teams.
