Marc Bernal is one of those young talents who catch attention from the very first moment. At the start of Hansi Flick's era at Barcelona, Bernal excelled brightly. However, he soon had to face a tough setback: a serious knee injury that halted his progress and kept him away from the field for months.
A talent recognized throughout Europe
Despite the injury, no one doubts the potential Marc Bernal has. He is only 18 years old, but he is already attracting interest from several major clubs in Europe. According to SPORT, teams from Italy's Serie A, England's Premier League, and especially Spain's LaLiga are keeping an eye on his situation.
Most of the offers he has received are in the form of a loan, a formula that seems to fit well with the desire of Barcelona and the player himself.
Journalist Gianluca Di Marzio from Sky Sports has even mentioned some specific names: Real Betis and Roma are among the clubs most interested in signing Bernal. In fact, Betis is closely monitoring the possibility of a loan, something that is not unwelcome at the blaugrana club.
Barça and Flick in favor of a loan
Why would Barça be open to a loan? The explanation is simple. The club has players like Frenkie de Jong and Arnau Casadó, who cover well the position in which Bernal plays.
This limits the opportunities the young player can have this season within the first team. That's why the idea is clear: Bernal should play as much as possible to keep growing, and a loan is the best formula for that.
What's interesting is that this option doesn't just come from the club, but Hansi Flick also shares it. The German coach trusts the footballer a lot and wants him to be close, so he can help him in his development.
Flick knows Bernal has a great future, but he also understands he must be treated calmly after his injury. The progress will be gradual, with no rush.
Flick's trust in Marc Bernal
Flick already showed his trust in Bernal last season, before the injury. That has created a strong bond between coach and player. Barça and Bernal's entourage are clear that his immediate future is at the club.
The plan is for Bernal to move forward calmly after recovering, without risking his health or his career. The coaching staff doesn't want to force his entry into the team, but rather integrate him gradually.