FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has effectively made a new signing for the first team in reaction to last night's triangular series against Nottingham Forest and Udinese.

Getty Images

FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has effectively made a new signing for the first team made public after last night's triangular series against Nottingham Forest and Udinese.

Though they beat Forest 1-0 thanks to a late penalty from Raphinha, the Catalans didn’t manage to take home the Friuli Venezia Giulia Cup after falling by the same score to Udinese in the unique triangular format not seen for 24 years.

There were positives to take away from the experience, however, with Brian Farinas impressing in the first 45 minutes against the Premier League giants.

The wheels on the 20 year old’s promotion were already in motion some time ago however. According to SPORT, Sporting Director Deco held a meeting with the player’s entourage in late July, in which the satisfaction of the coaching staff and the board regarding Farinas’ level and his general attitude were passed on.

This means that Farinas has taken the opportunity afforded to him and other young talents each summer, when Flick allows a number of them to train with the first group in preseason.

Marc Bernal is one case of getting that call and then staying with the first team fold. And now, Farinas will become a part of the furniture in 2026/2027 so that Flick can keep him close and quite possibly offer the Castellon native his first minutes in the pro ranks at some point.

Farinas was almost on the FC Barcelona exit ramp

It’s an especially remarkable turn of events for Farinas given that he was linked with a permanent move to Girona.

MORE FOR YOU

The terms of the deal were meant to be $1.75 million (€1.5 million) in exchange for 50% of Farinas’ rights.

And while that transfer can still happen at a later date, it looks to be put on ice now while Farinas’ price possibly goes up given he’ll now have first team player status.

Farinas’ boost comes at a time when there are changes being made in the midfield. The expected arrival of Rodri - if Barça can agree a price for him with Manchester City - is already speeding up the departures of two other La Masia graduates in Marc Casado and Tommy Marques.

Flick believes that Farinas’ presence can be useful to “give depth and tactical solutions” in the FC Barcelona midfield throughout the season. It’s now down to him to take a further step forward in the elite.