Official: Venezia sign Toni Fernandez from Barcelona
Quick summary
Venezia have completed the signing of 18-year-old Toni Fernandez from Barcelona, adding a highly regarded La Masia talent to their squad.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceVenezia have officially secured teenage talent Toni Fernandez from Barcelona in a complicated loan with option to buy and several counter-options. ‘I chose Venezia for the ambitious project.’
It was originally expected to be a €4m purchase with Barcelona retaining 50 per cent of the sell-on fee, as well as a buy-back clause.
However, Sky Sport Italia insist the terms changed during the final negotiations, with the contract registered just before the Serie A deadline.
Toni Fernandez signs for Venezia BARCELONA, SPAIN – AUGUST 12: Toni Fernandez of FC Barcelona run with the ball during the Joan Gamper Trophy match between FC Barcelona and AS Monaco at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on August 12, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images) The formal statement from Venezia calls this a temporary transfer with an option to make the move permanent and an obligation to do so if certain conditions are met.
According to Sky Sport Italia , Barcelona retain a buy-back clause set at €23m if activated at the end of this season, rising to €35m if it is used in the summer of 2028.
It is very similar therefore to the agreement that took Nico Paz from Real Madrid to Como, and another attempt by a Spanish giant to use Serie A minnows in order to give regular playing time, developing their academy talents.
BARCELONA, SPAIN – OCTOBER 18: Toni Fernandez of FC Barcelona reacts during the LaLiga EA Sports match between FC Barcelona and Girona FC at Spotify Camp Nou on October 18, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) Fernandez only celebrated his 18 th birthday in July and plays in a variety of attacking roles, most notably as a trequartista behind the striker.
“I chose Venezia because of the ambitious project that was presented to me and because of the trust I felt from the very beginning,” Fernandez told the club website.
“It is never easy to leave home, but I am extremely eager to do well and highly motivated to take on this new challenge.
“As soon as I learned about Venezia’s interest, I watched the team’s matches, and I feel I can tell the fans that, together, we must and can achieve our goals.”
VENICE, ITALY – AUGUST 23: Supporters of Venezia FC during the Serie A match between Venezia FC and US Lecce at Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo on August 23, 2026 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images) Venezia have also signed defender Rufai Mohammed from IF Elfsborg on loan with an option to buy at the end of the season.
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What happened
Venezia have officially announced the capture of Toni Fernandez, an 18-year-old attacker from Barcelona's La Masia academy. The move represents a notable addition for the newly promoted Serie A side, who continue to invest in young talent. Fernandez had been regarded as one of the promising prospects in Barcelona's youth system, and the transfer highlights Venezia's growing reputation as a destination for emerging players from top European academies.
Chance analysis
Venezia's capture of Toni Fernandez signals their continued strategy of blending top-flight experience with elite youth prospects. Landing an 18-year-old from Barcelona's La Masia is a statement of intent from a club that has become an attractive landing spot for sought-after young talents. For Barcelona, the departure continues a familiar pattern of academy departures to clubs willing to offer first-team football pathways. Serie A watchers will be curious to see how quickly Fernandez adapts to senior football in Italy.
Venezia gain an exciting young attacking option with La Masia pedigree, while Barcelona lose a promising academy product to a direct competitor for development pathways.