Bernal’s situation has also caught the eye in Europe. Manchester City have tracked the midfielder over the last two seasons, going as far as to enquire about his position.
City’s scouts drew up their first report on Bernal back in 2024, and his attributes are believed to have impressed manager Pep Guardiola too.
The English club reckon Bernal has the qualities to play an important role in defensive midfield, and they have studied his situation as a potential future option for that role. Estimates in England have even valued him at around 35 million euros.
Barcelona’s stance, though, is crystal clear. They do not want to sell, and the club still rate Bernal as one of the midfielders with the greatest potential for development at the La Masia academy. Flick shares that assessment completely.
Only one thing could open the door to a deal: a request from the player himself to leave Barcelona because of a lack of minutes.
Even then, the German coach would not make it easy. Flick has given Bernal his full protection. He wants to recover him, give him continuity, and find out how far a player he has backed almost since his arrival at Barcelona can go.
The player, though, wants playing time, and he knows he will have to earn it himself in a midfield brimming with competition. The transfer market may tempt Marc Bernal, but Flick has already made his position clear to him: he will rely on him and does not want him to leave.