As of recently, U.S. youth international Konrad de la Fuente seemed on a good path to break into Barcelona’s first team in the future. The 18-year-old winger already made his debut for Barcelona B, which is a good indication that the Catalan club has high hopes for him. According to ESPN’s recent reports, however, de la Fuentes might be blocking his progress at Camp Nou with his contract demands.
Barca has been negotiating a new contract with de la Fuente since the summer, but the two sides failed to find common ground until now. Reportedly, the club now decided they had enough and made their final offer according to which the youngster would have a starting salary of $500K that would gradually increase to more than $650K. La Liga giants also attached an ultimatum to the offer, telling the player he risks not playing for the club again if he doesn’t sign the deal.
Sources close to Konrad de la Fuente, however, revealed that the money isn’t actually the only thing that has stalled the negotiations. There is an interest in him from Bundesliga, Hertha Berlin being the strongest suitor, and de la Fuente would be keen on making a move and experiencing first-team football in one of Europe’s strongest leagues.
In case that de la Fuente doesn’t extend with Barcelona, he will become a free agent in the summer. The club that signs him, however, will have to pay around $800K to Barca for development rights.
