FC Barcelona has been unequivocal regarding the future of Marc Bernal. Despite Girona's interest in strengthening their squad with the midfielder, internal club sources assure that the player is part of Hansi Flick's immediate plans and that no scenario involving a winter loan is being considered. The club thus reaffirms its commitment to a footballer it considers "strategic," both for his profile and his potential.
The situation has become one of the day's talking points following reports that Girona had put Marc Bernal's name on the table. However, at Barça, they insist that the midfielder from Berga will remain with the club and that he is counted on to face a season marked by high competitive demands, especially after his recent return to the first team's dynamics
Girona Asks About Marc Bernal, But Barça Closes the Door
Míchel's team is going through a delicate moment. After stringing together four winless games, the Rojiblancos remain in the relegation zone and are urgently seeking reinforcements to change the dynamic. In this context, journalist Nil Solà pointed out on "Gol a gol" (Cadena SER) that Marc Bernal is one of the names most highly regarded by the Girona sports management.
The interest is real, but Barça's response has been immediate: Bernal is not on the market. The club does not want to part with a player they consider fundamental to the squad's balance, even though his participation so far this season has been irregular due to physical issues.
A complicated year for Marc Bernal
The Grana-blue number 22 spent more than a year away from the pitch due to a knee injury that abruptly halted his progress. After his recovery, his reappearance has been gradual, with few minutes in the first few weeks. In LaLiga, he has accumulated 99 minutes, while in the Champions League he has 21 minutes, small but understandable figures for a player still seeking consistency.
Even so, the coaching staff has always maintained the same stance: Bernal is part of the club's immediate future. And that vision has been reinforced in recent weeks with an increase in his participation, coinciding with a demanding schedule that has forced Flick to rotate players and explore new midfield variations.
Bernal's Evolution: From Minimal Rotation to Reliable Resource
At the start of the season, Flick only gave him 32 minutes in the first 14 games, with five token appearances. However, November completely changed his role. The midfielder has participated in four of the last five league games, accumulating 88 minutes in the last four league encounters and leaving positive impressions in each of his interventions.
The starting role he enjoyed in the Barça-Alavés match was a turning point. The player appeared organized, solid in recovery, and with tactical awareness that perfectly fits what Flick demands for his midfield. The club believes that these types of matches are essential for Bernal to regain competitive rhythm and show the level that brought him to the doorstep of the first team again.
Why Barça is not considering his departure
Girona's interest confirms the good regard Marc Bernal is held in on the market, but FC Barcelona is closing ranks around him. The club wants him to continue growing under Flick's supervision and is not willing to lose a player who, despite his young age, is beginning to emerge as a strategic asset.
Barça's refusal is not just an emotional issue. Within the sporting department, three clear arguments are being considered:
1. Unique profile in the template
Bernal is one of the few midfielders with the stature, physical capacity, and defensive reading to offer balance in transitions, something Flick particularly values. His combination of positional play and deployment is difficult to find on the market
2. Marked growth plan
Barça believes Bernal is at the exact point to grow under Flick's tutelage, in an environment of healthy competition but with real opportunities. A loan would cut short that process, and the club wants total control over his evolution
3. Demanding Schedule
The team faces months with a heavy schedule of matches in LaLiga and the Champions League. Maintaining depth in midfield is essential, especially in a season with constant injuries and rotations.
An ideal context to solidify
Barça will begin their participation in the new Champions League phase this Tuesday against Eintracht Frankfurt at the renovated Spotify Camp Nou. The coaching staff sees these weeks as a perfect opportunity for Bernal to continue adding minutes and gain confidence on top-level stages.
Furthermore, the club believes that the player is increasingly assimilating the concepts of the system. His ability to interpret passing lanes, his defensive positioning, and his maturity on the ball are virtues that Hansi Flick wants to exploit in the medium term
What Marc Bernal can expect in the coming months
If there are no physical setbacks, everything indicates that the midfielder will continue to alternate starts in specific matches with regular appearances off the bench. The idea is that, when the decisive phase of the season arrives, **Marc Bernal** will already be a fully integrated resource with more competitive rhythm.
Within the club, there is consensus: Bernal has the level to stay and his room for improvement is too great to loan him out now. Unlike other academy players, Barça believes his development will be more solid within the first team structure.
The season is long, and Bernal will have opportunities to prove he can become an important piece of the Barça midfield. At Barça, they are clear: his immediate future lies at Camp Nou.