Fermín takes the blame as Barça star leaves to join Atlético
In a season full of positive surprises for Barça, Fermín is one of them. The youth academy graduate is one of the team’s most underrated players, despite his impeccable performances every time he steps onto the pitch.
Whether coming off the bench or starting, Fermín always delivers.
However, in the most demanding matches, Hansi Flick seems to have Dani Olmo ahead of him .
The Spanish international, signed this summer as one of the key reinforcements for the new project, usually plays the playmaker role, leaving Fermín López in the background.
Simeone was very interested
Fermín’s situation hasn’t gone unnoticed by other clubs, and Atlético de Madrid is showing significant interest. Simeone’s team has been closely monitoring the player who trained at La Masia for months and has made several discreet approaches throughout the season. Fermín, for his part, is clear that he wants to play more.
He’s not closed to continuing at Barça, but he’s seriously considering his future. He knows the summer transfer window will be key to defining his role in Hansi Flick’s squad, and if he isn’t guaranteed a more prominent role, he could listen to offers.
Barça will not let Fermín leave
Despite the interest from Atlético, Barça is clear that Fermín López is not for sale . The sporting directors consider him a strategic asset for the team’s future. His style fits with the club’s DNA, and he has enormous room for growth.
Atlético de Madrid has already signed Fermín’s replacement.
While Fermín’s future is shaping up, Atlético de Madrid has launched another parallel deal. It concerns Álex Baena , a Villarreal midfielder who plays in the same position as Fermín. With a € 60 million buyout clause , the red-and-white team has already initiated talks to finalize his signing for the summer, according to Relevo.
This move would not only remove Atlético from the bidding for Fermín, but would also directly harm Barça . Álex Baena was one of the names most liked by the Barça sporting management , especially for his creative talent and leadership ability in the final third of the pitch. A move to Atlético would mean losing a strategic target, while also strengthening a direct rival in La Liga.
Inter Milan wants Fermín López
Inter has set its sights on Fermín López as a possible replacement for Henrikh Mkhitaryan, but Barça does not intend to listen to offers for the player from Huelva.
Fermín López continues to accumulate ‘girlfriends’ ahead of the summer market that begins in June. The latest information points to Inter Milan’s interest in the FC Barcelona midfielder, a player that the Italians were able to observe in detail during the historic Champions League semi-final starring both teams.
According to the Italian portal ‘Calciomercato’, the ‘nerazzurri’ team has set its sights on the ’16’ culé as a possible replacement for Henrikh Mkhitaryan. The Armenian still has a contract for one more season, but he is already 36 years old and Simone Inzaghi prioritizes incorporating another midfielder with similar characteristics.
Although there is still no formal offer for Fermín, Inter hopes for a flexible position to negotiate on the part of Barça, understanding that he is a regular substitute whose transfer could leave around 60 million euros in the culé coffers.
Fermín López, a key piece for Hansi Flick’s Barça
After his renewal until 2029, the player from Huelva maintains a termination clause of 500 million euros and, for now, remains one of Hansi Flick’s untouchables. And the ’16’, although not an undisputed starter, is a key piece in the Blaugrana scheme, with very valuable contributions coming in and out of the XI.
Fermín provided a couple of assists in the Champions League quarter-final tie against Dortmund. In addition, he scored 3 goals in the last 4 matchdays of La Liga, one of them key (against Valladolid) to lead the culés to consecration in the tournament with two matchdays to go. In total, the ’16’ has 8 goals and 9 assists in 45 appearances (1,949 minutes) this season.
Hence, beyond the advantages that the club would have in the market thanks to his transfer, the player from El Campillo is not for sale. Similarly, the midfielder’s commitment to the institution is total. López returned to Barcelona in the summer of 2023 and is living the dream of his life after a loan to Linares that seemed to rule him out completely a year earlier.