AS Roma Eye €25M Move for Barcelona Midfield Starlet Marc Bernal
In a surprising twist in the summer transfer window, AS Roma have emerged as serious contenders to sign Barcelona’s highly rated young midfielder Marc Bernal, according to renowned journalist Gianluca Di Marzio. The Italian side are reportedly exploring a deal worth around €25 million for the 17-year-old La Masia product.
Despite not yet making a full breakthrough into Barcelona’s senior team, Bernal has already drawn the attention of several top European clubs thanks to his tactical intelligence, composure on the ball, and ability to dictate play from deep. Widely regarded as one of the most promising talents in Barça’s academy, Bernal is seen as a future star.
Roma, led by Daniele De Rossi, are said to be pushing hard to secure the youngster’s signature. The club is undergoing a rebuild focused on youth and technical quality, and Bernal is viewed as an ideal long-term successor to Leandro Paredes — or even as a future midfield leader at the Stadio Olimpico.
Barcelona now face a challenging decision. While the club sees Bernal as a key piece of their future, the financial realities at Camp Nou mean that a €25 million offer could be too tempting to refuse, particularly for a player who hasn’t yet cemented a spot in the first team.
To complicate matters, Roma are not alone in the race. Di Marzio reports that clubs from both the Premier League and Bundesliga have also made inquiries, increasing pressure on Barcelona to make a swift decision.
Sources indicate that Bernal is open to a move, but only if it guarantees regular senior football. Roma, according to reports, have already held informal talks with the player’s camp and are willing to integrate him directly into their first-team squad rather than sending him out on loan — a key factor in winning over the player and his representatives.
For Barcelona, the potential sale would mark another high-profile departure from their youth ranks, following the exits of Ilaix Moriba and Xavi Simons. While selling Bernal could help ease financial strain, it risks sparking backlash from fans who see La Masia as the heart of the club’s identity.
If completed, the deal would signal a bold statement of intent from Roma in the post-Mourinho era — a commitment to long-term development and investment in elite young talent from across Europe.
Negotiations remain ongoing, but a final decision is expected soon. Should the move materialize, Marc Bernal could become the next La Masia gem to leave Barcelona — with Roma ready to offer him the platform to shine.
