The 19-year-old's renewal has been settled for several weeks, but its official confirmation has taken longer than expected. The delay is understood to be administrative rather than the result of any disagreement between the club and player.
Bernal will receive improved financial terms reflecting his increased importance under Hansi Flick. His previous agreement, signed in September 2025, was due to run until 2029.
The midfielder has become a more prominent member of the first-team squad since making his senior debut under Flick in August 2024, against Valencia in LaLiga. His development has continued this season, with 14 appearances across the league and Champions League, including five starts and two assists.
Bernal has also become an important alternative when Flick is without one of his preferred midfielders. He has been used alongside Pedri when Rodri has been unavailable, including in the recent meeting with Atlético Madrid at the Metropolitano.
His progress has been particularly encouraging given the competition for places in Barcelona's midfield. The new contract reflects the club's intention to secure the future of a player who has increasingly been trusted with first-team responsibilities.
Director of football Deco had already indicated in September that Bernal's extension was close, announcing that the club had reached agreements involving the midfielder, Raphinha and Xavi Espart.
The formal announcements have been staggered. Barcelona have since confirmed Espart's new contract, while Raphinha's renewal has also been addressed. Bernal's is the outstanding agreement from that group.
The club also have the formal presentation of Andreas Christensen's and Espart's extensions to arrange. According to Mundo Deportivo, the intention is to deal with the remaining contract announcements over the coming days.
President Joan Laporta is currently in New York with the Barcelona delegation attending the Johan Cruyff Memorial. His return next week is expected to allow the club to finalise the schedule for the outstanding announcements.
For Bernal, the important business has already been completed. The remaining step is to put the agreement into public view, securing his future at Barcelona for another five years beyond the end of his existing deal.