Como 1907 has confirmed the acquisition of Andrés Cuenca from FC Barcelona for a transfer fee of €700,000, accompanied by a 20% sell-on clause. The 19-year-old center-back has been part of Barcelona’s esteemed La Masia academy since 2019 and made his first senior appearance during the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League. Cuenca's official transition to Como will occur on July 1, 2026, with a contract extending until June 2030.
The significance of the 20% sell-on clause cannot be overlooked. Though the transfer fee might seem modest for a player developed at one of the world’s most prestigious academies, Cuenca’s market value is pegged at around €500,000. Thus, Barcelona's fee only reflects a slight premium over this valuation. This clause means that if Cuenca later garners a transfer fee of €10 million, Barcelona stands to gain €2 million, essentially maintaining a financial interest in a player shaped by their training.
Como's ownership sheds light on the globalization of football financing. The club is primarily owned by the Indonesian Djarum Group through Sent Entertainment, helmed by the Hartono brothers. Under the guidance of Cesc Fàbregas, a former star player at Barcelona and Arsenal, Como has been strategically acquiring young talents with substantial growth potential since their promotion to Serie A in 2024. With Cuenca being a prime example, the club is focused on developing promising talents at a fraction of the cost of more established players. This ongoing approach reflects a broader trend in the football industry, merging traditional club investments with newer, tokenized fan economies.
