'He asked to leave': Deco breaks silence on Barcelona shock sale of Unai Hernadez to Saudi
Barcelona made only one sale in the January transfer window with Unai Hernandez moving to Al Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League.
Barca had big plans for Hernandez who was maturing well with Barca Atletic as their captain.
Explaining the shocking sale, Barcelona sporting director Deco said: “It’s difficult to say anything because I don’t know his personal and family reality.
"Saudi Arabia is also becoming a market for young players and Barcelona, obviously, has a lot of quality in the lower categories.
"When a player makes a decision, it’s very difficult to stop. If we tried to keep Unai because he has a contract, it would have been worse for him and for us because he was very clear about leaving. I think it is hasty, but it is my opinion.
“Unai was frustrated for not having the opportunity to play in the first team. But we must think that young people will have it more and more difficult because there are already many who are consolidating.
"But sometimes you rush because you want to have the opportunity as soon as possible,” Deco adds.
