Barcelona are planning to adjust Marc Bernal’s contract to match his growing influence in the first team, according to Mundo Deportivo.
Bernal spent the 2025-2026 season gaining ground under Hansi Flick. He started the year working his way back from a severe knee injury that sidelined him for a while, but the 19-year-old midfielder eventually won a starting spot in the double pivot in midfield. A leg injury and a later ankle sprain halted that momentum, but his form still earned him a spot on Luis
de la Fuente’s reserve list for the senior national team, even if he is slated to stay with the under-21s during the FIFA World Cup.
While his fortunes have been on the upswing, things have gone differently for fellow academy graduate Marc Casadó. Flick promoted both players during the 2024 preseason tour of the United States to cover for Frenkie de Jong, but Casadó has since dropped out of favor. In fact, he faces a potential exit to help fund a move for Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva.
Bernal, meanwhile, became untouchable in midfield. He even added a goalscoring threat to his game, netting five times in all competitions, including a brace against Atlético de Madrid in the Copa del Rey semifinals and a close-range finish in the 7-2 UEFA Champions League thrashing of Newcastle United.
However, according to MARCA, the manager has told Bernal he needs to take another step forward and fight for his place again come next season. The manager will have plenty of options in midfield, including De Jong, Gavi, and possibly, Bernardo Silva, to partner Pedri in the midfield trio.
Bernal has received various loan and transfer offers from other clubs, but he has refused to listen to them. Barcelona are committed to him as well, with Flick being known as a huge fan of the player. Because he is already under contract until 2029 with a 500 million euro release clause, the board has total control over the timing of the new deal.
