Barcelona is constantly focusing on its young talent, especially now that Hansi Flick is at the helm. There is a great curiosity about which rising stars will thrive under his leadership. Although there have been speculations that a young midfielder will become Flick’s “weapon” by 2026, the situation for the Blaugrana is quite complex at the moment. While some youngsters are departing, others are clearly making their mark.
Fermín López: The Midfield Maestro to Watch
If you’re looking for a young midfielder ready to make a big impact under Hansi Flick, Fermín López is a strong candidate. The 22-year-old just extended his contract with the club until June 30, 2029. That’s a long commitment. And get this: his buyout clause is a massive € 500 million. That tells you what Barcelona thinks of him.
López has got character and skills, everyone says. His breakthrough season, 2023/24, saw him play 42 competitive games and score 11 goals as well. López went on to become an automatic first-choice starter under the previous coach, Xavi Hernández.
Additionally, López had an impressive summer, winning Euro 2024 and an Olympic gold with Spain, scoring six goals in the latter tournament. So, it is quite evident that he’s used to the big stage and is poised to be a key player for Flick for years to come.
Midfield Departures and New Faces for Barça Atlètic
But it’s not all about keeping talent. Sometimes, young players have to move on for playing time. Unai Hernández, a young Barcelona midfielder, moved to join the Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad during the 2025 January transfer window, as reported by ESPN. Hernández, 20, scored nine goals in 20 games for Barça’s reserve team. But his contract was to end in summer 2025.
Hernández’s path to the first team was blocked by big names like Dani Olmo, Pedri, and Gavi. So, he decided to look elsewhere. And he isn’t the only one who might bring in some cash. Young midfielder Pau Prim also left the Barcelona reserve team and joined the Qatari side, Al Sadd. These exits helped the club alleviate some salary constraints, which have been a persistent issue in recent years.
Meanwhile, Barcelona is also bringing in new talent for the reserve side. They signed Espanyol midfielder Roger Martinez on a free transfer for the Barça Atlètic team, as reported by Yahoo Sports. Martinez is a central midfielder who played 35 games on loan at Lugo during the 2024-25 season.
He’s hoping to make a breakthrough, just like other youth players have. One of Barça Atlètic’s new signings, Roony Bardghji, has already impressed Hansi Flick and his staff. So, you never know with these reserve players.
Injuries and Financial Realities
Not every young talent is ready to step up right away. Marc Bernal, an 18-year-old midfielder, has just recovered from a serious knee injury, as he tore his anterior cruciate ligament in August 2024. After a year, Bernal made his return during Barcelona’s 6-0 win over Valencia in September 2025. The club is taking a cautious approach, which is smart for such a valuable future talent. They don’t want to rush him back.
Hansi Flick knows the club’s financial situation is tight. “You know better than me that maybe it’s not easy for the club,” Flick said recently when asked about January signings. He seems happy with his current squad, though. “I always said I am happy with this team about the players, the atmosphere, the quality also from the players. I am happy. I think also with this team we can be very successful.” He’s got a point.
So, while the idea of a specific young midfielder becoming Hansi Flick’s ultimate “weapon” by 2026 is exciting, the reality is a mix of promising talents like Fermín López, players moving on, new arrivals for the reserves, and ongoing injury challenges. But López really does seem poised for a big role in Flick’s plans. He’s got everything needed to be a cornerstone of Barcelona’s midfield for years to come.
Annsly Raena 
Tanya Singh 
Priyanjan Paul