Chelsea and United go for Juan Hernández: How much could Barça earn from his sale?

It is no secret that FC Barcelona has one of the most 'top' academies in world football. And how could it not be, if talents such as Lamine Yamal or Pau Cubarsí already stand out in the first team, players with a marked Barça DNA who, despite their youth, are triumphing in the elite of international football.

Given this, it is not surprising that several stellar clubs are constantly monitoring the Azulgrana youth categories in search of future stars. In this context, a new name has entered the scene: Juan Hernández, a 17-year-old offensive midfielder who currently plays for Barcelona's Juvenil A, although he had sporadic appearances at the beginning of the season in Barça Atlètic. His emergence has aroused the interest of two Premier League giants.

Chelsea and Manchester United: attentive to the future of Juan Hernández

According to 'Sky Sports', both Chelsea and Manchester United are closely following Juan Hernández and do not rule out paying his release clause, currently stipulated at six million euros. The versatile culé player's contract with the club ends on June 30, 2026, and his projection makes him a very attractive target for English teams.

Exclusive: #Chelseafc and #ManUtd have been looking at promising #Barcelona teenager Juan Hernandez Torres. Believed to have a £5m release clause. Attacking-mid, 18 in July, Spain U19. More here: https://t.co/XQjT6tBWZg pic.twitter.com/P0TFZexaCc

— Lyall Thomas (@SkySportsLyall) May 9, 2025

It is worth remembering that Chelsea already knows what it is to incorporate young talent from Barcelona. In the past summer market, they signed Marc Guiu, one of the most promising projects as a center forward for the first team. After a stellar debut, the player from Granollers closed the 2023-24 season with two goals in seven games (182 minutes), which led him to sign for the 'Blue' team after the payment of his six million euro clause.

In turn, Hernández has been one of the outstanding players in Barça's conquest of the UEFA Youth League. In the competition, he scored two goals in 10 matches, showing characteristics of a creative, unbalancing '10', with a good change of pace and capable of adapting to different offensive positions. He can play both on the wing and in a more backward position in the center of the field, which adds value to his versatility.

Could FC Barcelona retain Juan Hernández?

Now, the next natural step in Juan Hernández's career is his definitive promotion to Barça Atlètic, a logical transition as he is close to coming of age. However, this plan could be altered if the Azulgrana subsidiary fails to maintain its category in Primera RFEF. In case of relegation to Segunda RFEF, the sports project may no longer be attractive enough, not only for Juan Hernández, but for other young promises who could choose to leave.

On the contrary, if Barça Atlètic maintains the category, several youth players would be willing to continue at the club, motivated by the real option of making the leap to the first team, as has already happened with other culé talents.