The young defender looks set to leave Barcelona to join Como with his contract set to expire in the summer
FC Barcelona look set to lose another teenage academy star just days after learning that Dro Fernández will join Paris Saint-Germain, as Como edge closer to signing young defender Andrés Cuenca, who enters the final months of his contract.
The Catalans are still furious after learning that one of their former head coaches, Luis Enrique, moved to snap up one of their brightest young talents in Dro, and now it is another former Blaugrana who is aiming to pinch a La Masia graduate from their former club.
Serie A side Como, coached by former Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fàbregas, are targeting the 18-year-old centre back whose deal with Barcelona expires at the end of the season.
With no renewal in place, Cuenca has become one of the more closely watched young defenders on the market, particularly among Italian clubs.
Recent reports from Italy suggested a growing race to secure his signature during the winter window, but Como now appear to have made concrete steps. According to Sportitalia, Como are currently the club showing the strongest interest and have already submitted a proposal to Barcelona.
😡 Dro Fernández’s decision to leave Barcelona for PSG has infuriated the Catalans, and it turns out that two former Barça players engineered the move.
🤝 Dro’s agent played alongside Luis Enrique for Barcelona in the late 1990s.https://t.co/wMGuy606lY
— BB Sport News (@BBSportNews24) January 21, 2026
Rather than paying an immediate transfer fee, Como’s offer is built around Cuenca’s contract situation.
The proposal would allow the defender to join on a free transfer once his deal expires, while granting Barcelona a 25 percent share of any future sale. For the Italian club, the structure reduces upfront cost while recognising the player’s long-term potential.
Cuenca is regarded as a promising prospect within Barcelona’s academy system. A composed and athletic centre back, he earned his first team debut during the 2024/25 season under Hansi Flick.
His senior appearance came in the Champions League, where he played the closing minutes of a match against Young Boys, an important milestone in his development.
Loan strategy and familiar links shape Como’s plan
Como’s interest in Cuenca forms part of a broader recruitment strategy focused on young talent. The club’s intention is not necessarily to integrate him immediately into their first team, but to secure his rights and then loan him out to gain regular senior experience.
Fàbregas’ role is central to the project. Since taking charge, the former Barcelona midfielder has positioned Como as an attractive destination for emerging players, particularly those developed in elite academies.
Cuenca would follow a familiar path by joining a club led by a coach who understands both the Barcelona environment and the demands of top-level football.
There is also a notable agency connection involved in the negotiations. Cuenca is represented by the same agency as Nico Paz, who joined Como from Real Madrid in August 2024.
That prior relationship might have strengthened communication between all parties and reinforced Como’s confidence in completing the deal.