One to watch: Barca hand Juan Hernandez new contract

Barcelona moved swiftly to secure the long-term future of teenage midfielder Juan Hernandez on Thursday, announcing that the 18-year-old has signed a contract extension that ties him to the club through June 30, 2028, with an optional additional season.

The Aragonese playmaker has been one of the standout performers for Barça Atlètic this campaign, registering four goals and four assists in 20 appearances for the reserve side. His upward trajectory has already earned him two first-team call-ups during the 2025-26 season, and the new deal quashes persistent speculation that Paris Saint-Germain were preparing a free-transfer swoop.

Hernandez completed his youth pathway at the Ciutat Esportiva and trained with the reserves before officially joining Barça Atlètic in January, swapping the No. 30 shirt for the No. 20 jersey he could debut when the reserves return to action this weekend. Director of Youth Football José Ramón Alexanco oversaw the signing formalities, underlining the club’s confidence in a player they view as a future first-team contributor.

With Dro Fernandez’s departure creating space around the senior squad, Hernandez is expected to train more frequently under first-team supervision, accelerating a progression that has already marked him as one of La Masia’s most exciting modern graduates. For now, supporters and analysts alike have been put on notice: Juan Hernandez is one to watch.