Girona director reveals how Deco blocked their January pursuit of Barcelona starlet

Speaking in an interview on Catalunya Radio (h/t SPORT), Girona sporting director Quique Carcel acknowledged that they were interested in signing Marc Bernal on loan from FC Barcelona in January.

The Catalan club raided Barça for the loan signing of Marc-Andre ter Stegen, although the German international will not play again for a few months after suffering a hamstring injury.

Reports of Girona’s interest in taking Bernal as well, on loan, had been doing the rounds, and Carcel has gone on record to confirm that it was indeed the case and that Barcelona director Deco played a key role in blocking the move.

“I believe we were interested in Bernal because we needed a player for that position. Deco was very honest and told me that it would not be easy to sign him,” said Carcel.

“If they saw that they were signing players and he wasn’t getting any playing time, then perhaps he would leave. But if he stays at Barça, it’s because they see that he can get significant playing time,” he added, revealing what Deco told him.

Deco shot down Girona’s enquiry for Bernal. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

For a while, there were talks of Bernal potentially being loaned out in January, given that he was not playing much since returning from his ACL injury.

However, Pedri’s injury, coupled with Pedro ‘Dro’ Fernandez’s departure, closed the doors on any possibility of a departure, with Hansi Flick making it clear that he counted on the young midfielder.

In fact, Bernal has been playing regularly in recent weeks. In Barça’s latest game against Albacete, the 18-year-old La Masia gem started in midfield alongside Frenkie de Jong and played for more than 60 minutes.

Flick has pointed out a couple of areas in Bernal’s game that need improvement, but there is no denying that the manager and Barcelona as a club have complete trust in the youngster’s potential and capabilities.