Barcelona have rejected a formal approach from Ajax to sign teenage midfielder Marc Bernal on loan, with manager Hansi Flick personally intervening to block the January transfer.
Despite the Dutch giants viewing Bernal as a “perfect fit” for their system—a pursuit bolstered by incoming sporting director Jordi Cruyff’s intimate knowledge of the player—Flick remains adamant that the youngster’s rehabilitation and long-term integration are best handled within the Catalan club’s environment.
While sporting management briefly weighed the benefits of the regular playing time Ajax offered, the decision was ultimately made to prioritize Flick’s desire to maintain “daily control of Bernal’s progress” following his return from injury.
The club continues to view the 18-year-old as a “long-term pillar of their midfield” and has opted for a cautious reintegration process, focusing on developmental stability over the short-term gains of an external loan spell.