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Venezia 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 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. Fernandez only celebrated his 18th 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.” Venezia have also signed defender Rufai Mohammed from IF Elfsborg on loan with an option to buy at the end of the season.