Joan Laporta Lashes Out at ‘The Baldy’ Over Barcelona Teen Star’s PSG Switch

Barcelona presidential hopeful Joan Laporta has launched an extraordinary attack on agent Iván de la Peña, accusing the former Barça and Spain midfielder of “a treacherous backstab” in the €8.4 million winter-window departure of 18-year-old talent Dro Fernández to Paris Saint-Germain.

Fernández, fast-tracked from the under-19 squad by coach Hansi Flick at the start of the season, made early first-team appearances but could not be persuaded to extend his contract once he turned 18. With minutes drying up, the winger opted for PSG’s offer, leaving Laporta incensed at the role played by de la Peña—nicknamed “the baldy” during his playing days.

“What happened with Dro was a betrayal,” Laporta told Jijantes, with Sport carrying his remarks. “If it had happened with Jorge Mendes, it wouldn’t have been like what happened with the baldy. It was a disgrace.”

Laporta, who is on Sunday’s ballot for a return to the presidency, claimed he had forged a “market relationship” with PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi that involved “more money involved, to maintain cordial relations with Barça,” and expressed gratitude for that professionalism. Yet he reserved fierce criticism for de la Peña, an agent whose client list still includes current first-teamers Gavi and Eric García.

“He’s an agent because of his history with Barcelona; he had a special relationship with them, and I thought it was a treacherous backstab,” Laporta said, adding that Flick had handed Fernández opportunities “at the expense of players who deserved it more because they were more invested in Barça.”

While Laporta ruled out any move for Juventus striker Dušan Vlahovic—“There’s nothing, we don’t need to sign any players”—he showed more enthusiasm for João Cancelo, represented by Mendes. “He’s doing fantastically, he has a lot of class… we must experience a more uninhibited Barça.”

On the future of loanee Marcus Rashford, Laporta indicated Barcelona could trigger the €30 million purchase option negotiated with Manchester United. “He has a level of assists and goals that we’re very happy with. We could extend the loan further; it depends on what Deco wants. Rashford has settled in well; he’s a great guy, and he’s very involved with the Foundation.”

With salary-cap constraints looming, the final decision on Rashford is expected this summer, but the England forward has publicly stated his desire to remain at Camp Nou.