Venezia complete Toni Fernández signing from Barcelona

Venezia have completed the signing of 18-year-old forward Toni Fernández from Barcelona, although the two clubs have described the structure of the agreement differently.

Barcelona officially announced Fernández’s departure as a transfer, confirming that the Spanish club retain a buy-back option and a percentage of any future sale.

Venezia, meanwhile, have described the agreement as an initial loan with an option to buy that will become an obligation if specified conditions are met. Neither club has disclosed the financial terms or the conditions attached to the permanent clause.

The differing descriptions do not affect the status of Fernández’s move to Italy, which has been formally announced by both clubs, but the precise mechanism through which his registration becomes permanently owned by Venezia remains dependent on the terms outlined by the Serie A side.

Fernández leaves Barcelona after eight years in the club’s academy system. He joined La Masia from Espanyol in 2018 and made his senior debut in January 2025, becoming one of the youngest players to represent Barcelona’s first team.

He made another first-team appearance during the 2025/26 season, starting a LaLiga match against Girona, while spending most of the campaign with Barcelona Atlètic. Venezia state that he made 24 appearances for the reserve side last season, scoring five goals and providing three assists.

The Spain youth international now moves to Italy for his first senior experience outside Barcelona, with Venezia adding one of La Masia’s highly rated attacking prospects to their squad.

The transfer itself is official. What remains conditional is the long-term ownership structure: Venezia have announced an option that can become obligatory, while Barcelona retain both a buy-back mechanism and an interest in a future sale.