The Brian Fariñas saga remains unresolved. Just when everything appeared set for his departure from FC Barcelona to Girona, Hansi Flick decided to pump the brakes. The injury to Frenkie De Jong completely changed the scenario, and now the German coach wants to assess the 20-year-old midfielder in person before making a final decision. Girona, meanwhile, remains on standby: they know their opportunity is still alive, but also that everything depends on what happens over the coming weeks.

From nearly done to completely open

In early July, the operation was virtually sealed. Barcelona and Girona had reached an agreement to sell 50% of the player's rights for €1.5 million, according to mundodeportivo.com. Everything suggested that Fariñas would continue his development at Montilivi, playing regularly and under a project that would give him genuine playing time.

But football is unpredictable. De Jong's prolonged absence—who returned from the World Cup with physical issues—set off alarm bells at Barcelona. Flick needed options in midfield, and he saw something in Fariñas that he liked: a talented player who could be his lifeline while the Dutchman recovers. The coach asked the club to let him evaluate the academy graduate during preseason and the England tour, and the sporting directorate, with Deco at the helm, agreed.

An unexpected opportunity

For Fariñas, this is an unforeseen turn in his career. The midfielder, who had a solid season at Barça Atlètic, has trained physically throughout the summer to arrive at this preseason in optimal condition. Now that preparation takes on even more significance: he's no longer just fighting to win the confidence of a rival team, but to convince Flick that he can be his option while De Jong recovers.

The Blaugrana club is satisfied with his work in recent weeks, according to reports. His agent, Borja García, and the sporting directorate have held several conversations to clarify the most convenient path for the player, who has a contract with Barcelona until 2028.

Girona won't give up

But the Montilivi club hasn't thrown in the towel. They know the agreement was there, that both parties had negotiated and that only final approval was missing. Now they're in standby mode, watching how preseason develops and, above all, what decision Flick makes. If the coach feels Fariñas doesn't offer guarantees as a replacement for De Jong, the Girona signing could resume. If, on the other hand, he sees potential, everything would be left in complicated limbo.

Barcelona awaits De Jong's return this Monday at the Ciutat Esportiva, which will allow them to evaluate the true state of his injury. Much will depend on that: the urgency of reinforcements, his real recovery time and, ultimately, how many minutes Flick will need Fariñas to cover in the coming weeks.

Who has the final say?

The reality is that Flick holds all the cards. It's he who will decide whether Fariñas is part of his project or if Barcelona prefers to loan out his services. The player finds himself at a crossroads: an opportunity at Barcelona is every academy graduate's dream, but he also knows that Girona offered what he needs most at this stage of his career: playing time and a prominent role. Everything will be resolved in the coming days, when the England tour ends and Flick must take stock.