Unai Hernández, forward for FC Barcelona, has closed his cycle at the Catalan club and will begin a new chapter in Saudi Arabia. The player signed a contract for three seasons with Al-Ittihad, a team in the Saudi league that has managed to attract major figures in world soccer. This transfer has been officially confirmed by the Arab club, putting an end to months of rumors about his future.
The end of an era at Barça
Unai Hernández was in the final stage of his contract with FC Barcelona, which was set to expire on June 30. Although there was a possibility of renewing his bond with the club, the negotiations didn't come to fruition. The forward, who failed to secure a spot in Hansi Flick's starting eleven, saw that the renewal was not viable for either party.
Barcelona, while strengthening its squad, could not ensure Unai's stay due to lack of space. In this context, Al-Ittihad's offer was attractive to both the player and the Catalan club, which decided to accept the proposal.
The Saudi offer: A multimillion-dollar transfer
Unai Hernández's transfer to Al-Ittihad was closed at 4.5 million euros (4.9 million dollars), with the possibility of reaching 5 million (5.4 million dollars) through performance variables. This operation was completed in record time, after the forward passed his medical examination in Barcelona. After that, he traveled to Jeddah, where he will join his new team.
Unai's arrival in Saudi Arabia is no coincidence. Al-Ittihad, led by Laurent Blanc, has become one of the most ambitious clubs in the region.
Al-Ittihad's squad includes stars like Kanté, Benzema, and Bergwijn, who have raised the club's quality. This reinforcement with Unai Hernández is part of an ambitious plan to continue strengthening the team.
Laporta celebrates the operation
Joan Laporta, president of FC Barcelona, has celebrated Unai Hernández's departure. From the club's perspective, they consider this operation beneficial in economic terms. The transfer has left a significant sum for Barça, which can allocate it to new signings and projects.
Additionally, Laporta highlights that Unai Hernández's departure frees up space in the first team for the arrival of new players. With the player out of the team, Barcelona can focus on strengthening other areas, seeking more options for the attack and consolidating the squad for upcoming challenges.