Brian Farinas: From Exit List to Barcelona's Pre-Season Revelation

Brian Farinas was halfway out the door. Girona had appeared, fee on the table, pathway clear. Barcelona seemed ready to let another La Masia midfielder test himself elsewhere.

That plan has been ripped up.

From exit list to pre-season revelation

Journalist Matteo Moretto reports that Farinas will now stay at Barcelona this summer, with the club already working with his camp on a contract renewal. The 20-year-old, who even wore the armband for Barça Atletic at times last season, had been close to a permanent move to Estadi Montilivi earlier in the window.

Girona, relegated from La Liga last season, were prepared to pay around €1.5 million for 50% of his economic rights. It was a classic Barcelona deal: share the risk, bank a fee, keep a stake in a promising academy product.

Then came the twist.

De Jong’s injury flips the script

Frenkie de Jong’s injury at the 2026 FIFA World Cup changed everything. Once it became clear the Netherlands midfielder would be out for a long spell, Hansi Flick intervened. The new Barça coach wanted Farinas to stay put, at least for pre-season, to judge him up close before approving any departure.

That decision has paid off for the youngster.

Given steady minutes throughout the summer, Farinas has impressed Flick with his energy, personality and output in midfield. The internal debate over whether to cash in or commit has swung firmly in his favour.

So firmly, in fact, that Barcelona have opted to keep the 20-year-old and instead move on Tommy Marques, the midfielder who made his first-team debut last season. Marques is now set to leave the club, opening up further space in the pecking order for Farinas.

La Masia product now part of the plan

Farinas has been at La Masia since 2018, when he arrived from Villarreal as a 12-year-old. Eight years later, he is no longer just another academy hopeful. He is a live option for Flick’s midfield rotation.

His current contract runs until 2028, but Barcelona are already working on a renewal, according to Moretto, now that the decision has been made to keep him in the squad structure.

Last season, Farinas delivered five goals and seven assists in 33 appearances for Barça Atletic. Solid numbers, but more importantly, a body of work that convinced a new coach he was worth betting on.

A few weeks ago, he was a €1.5 million opportunity for Girona. Now he is a piece of Barcelona’s response to life without Frenkie de Jong.