Marc Bernal: no intentions of leaving, but with winter offers

FC Barcelona has a decision to make regarding Marc Bernal's future in the final two weeks of the winter transfer window. The 18-year-old midfielder is still working to return to his best form after recovering from a serious knee injury, and although he has barely accumulated 273 minutes of action in 25/26, Hansi Flick still considers him an important piece of the squad.

Bernal recently completed almost an hour of play (58') at El Sardinero against Racing (0-2), so far the first match in which the youth player has played more than 45 minutes in a game this season. The player from Berga saw action in 12 matches, 3 of them as a starter after reappearing with the first team in mid-September

Girona, the main party interested in Bernal's loan

For now, Flick insists on carefully managing Marc's minutes. A logical decision, given the toll it took on the '22' to play 58 minutes in the Copa del Rey round of 16. **The midfielder needs more game time, but he is clearly not yet ready to play 60-70 minutes every three days**

In that regard, the board keeps open the option of negotiating a loan move for Bernal in January. The midfielder will hardly have adequate playing time in the second half of the season with Barça, although the schedule may offer him good opportunities in the League and Cup to accumulate quality minutes in the last four months of the season.

In the last few hours, the interest of a **Girona** has emerged, which also has the loan of Marc-André ter Stegen until the end of the season very advanced. In Montilivi, Marc would have less pressure and more opportunities to play in La Liga, although for the moment neither the player nor Hansi Flick look favorably upon this option

Hansi Flick closes the exit door for Marc Bernal

In the press conference prior to the visit to Real Sociedad, the manager made his stance clear regarding the possible loan of Marc Bernal. The imminent transfer of 'Dro' Fernández to Paris Saint-Germain did not please the German coach at all, who has been particularly careful with the management of young talent.

The one from Berga, in fact, made him debut as a starting pivot in 24/25, before the youth player tore his left knee at the beginning of the season. "I hope he continues. If it were my decision, it would be very clear. But in football, you never know. He's here and adapting after the injury. We want to help him improve his level. He has a lot of potential," he argued about Marc.

The 18-year-old player recently renewed until 2029 with a first-team contract. Although the board may consider loaning him out, this would not jeopardize the midfielder's future, whom the club considers a very valuable asset in the medium and long term.