Overview

• Pedro Fernández Sarmiento, known as Dro, is a 17-year-old Barcelona academy midfielder whose pre-season displays have drawn widespread attention.
• The club’s development strategy for Dro mirrors last season’s pathway for academy graduates Lamine Yamal, Marc Bernal and Marc Casado to ease their transition into the senior squad.
• Barcelona intends to alternate him between the first team and Barcelona Atlètic to balance high-level exposure with regular playing time.
• Officials are preparing to extend his contract beyond its 2027 expiry with a longer-term offer contingent on continued progress.
• Both Spain and the Philippine Football Federation are vying for his international allegiance, though Spain is seen as the favoured option.