Paris Saint-Germain is considering signing Dro Fernández through a regular transfer rather than paying his release clause, in order to reduce tax expenses.
Dro Fernández’s transfer is yet to reach a conclusion. The 18-year-old attacking midfielder is very close to joining PSG, with both parties reportedly agreeing on a four-and-a-half-year contract, but no official signing has taken place so far.
Sources from Catalonia reveal that Dro Fernández’s transfer is not deadlocked. The delay in negotiations is first due to Barcelona’s reluctance to let the player leave—he has been gradually integrated into the first team by Hansi Flick this season, even starting in the Champions League match against Olympiacos—but the more critical issue is financial.
Release clauses are legal in Spain and must be paid by the player himself. Although in practice the future club usually covers the cost, it is worth noting that this payment is subject to a tax rate of up to 47%, which nearly increases the total cost by almost half.
Dro Fernández’s transfer talks are currently stuck on this specific point. If the deal is converted into a regular transfer, the player would avoid paying an additional tax of around €3 million to activate the release clause. However, this requires PSG to reach an agreement with Barcelona, who prefer an offer higher than the €6 million release clause—this is the key sticking point in the negotiations between the two clubs.
This is why the transfer has not been completed. Barcelona is asking for a transfer fee in the range of €8–10 million, while PSG is also unwilling to damage its long-standing good relationship with Barcelona.
The situation is reminiscent of Ousmane Dembélé’s transfer in the summer of 2023, when he returned to France by paying a €50.4 million release clause. That transfer also took several weeks to finalize as all parties agreed on the accounting treatment.
For Dro Fernández, an agreement needs to be reached quickly to avoid unexpected twists in the transfer. Although other clubs have inquired about the player, PSG remains in the lead in the race. Dro Fernández met with PSG manager Luis Enrique during last Christmas, and the two share the same agency.
Those close to Dro Fernández believe that with the transfer window approaching its close, a breakthrough in Dro Fernández’s deal is expected soon. In the meantime, Dro Fernández continues to train separately and is not listed in Barcelona’s official first-team squad.
