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Barcelona have secured the future of highly rated midfielder Tomás Marqués, who has signed a new contract that will keep him at the club until June 2028 and includes a €20 million release clause, rising to €25 million if he features for the first team.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Several clubs in the Premier League were interested in signing Tomás Marqués, but the 18-year-old has decided to continue at Barcelona by extending his stay, a move the hierarchy will welcome with a relief after losing several top prospects in the January transfer window. Marqués will play for the Juvenil A side until the end of the season and is expected to move to Barça Atletic next term. If he reaches five matches with the first team, his release clause will increase to 25 million euros.
WHAT THEY SAID
Barcelona released an official statement to address the extent of Marqués’ contract extension. It read: “Tomás Marqués wears the FC Barcelona shirt until at least 2028. After several days of reflection, the young player from the Juveníl A team decided it was in his best interest to extend his current contract until June 30, 2028. The deal includes a release clause set at €20 million … which will increase to €25 million when Marqués reaches five matches with the first team.” Marqués has been at the club for a long time, and the board expects him to have a long career. “Márques came to La Masia in 2015, and since that time, he has been progressing through the various teams of the Club. After arriving at FC Barcelona from Europa, he played for the Alevín C, Alevín A, Infantil A, Cadet B, Cadet A, Juveníl B and Juveníl A teams,” the statement further read.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Barcelona have lost several top teenage prospects in recent times. As reported by GOAL earlier, club chief Joan Soler is expected to look for more budget cuts to present a “super offer” to Gavi, whose future at Barcelona looks uncertain currently. As such, the last thing they needed were reports emerging of young La Masia prospects plotting an exit. However, with Marqués staying on board, this is one headache that has gone away for now.
WHAT NEXT IN LA LIGA?
Barcelona will return to action against Atletico Madrid on Sunday in a La Liga top-of-the-table clash. Both sides will be embarking upon a fresh rivalry, and the league clash has been termed as a high-voltage encounter, which will be of utmost significance for the third-placed Barcelona. As is regular for league action, the game will take place at Camp Nou, and will kick off at 17:30 GMT.
