Fermín’s Departure Edges Closer: Two European Giants Want Him, and Barcelona Sees a Big Opportunity | OneFootball

FC Barcelona are having their best moment of the season. Alone at the top of the league with a three-point lead over Real Madrid and already focused on their Champions League match against Benfica on Wednesday, Hansi Flick‘s team base their success on a harmonious game in which there are important players, but also a great bench that performs at the highest level.

Barça’s strong point is their scoring ability which, in turn, is a clear example of the aforementioned collective strength. So far this season, the Catalans have scored 124 goals in 40 games (an average of 3.1). With a long season still to play, FC Barcelona have already scored more goals than in the last five seasons. This season the offensive side of the azulgrana team is not exclusive to the attacking men as 19 members of the squad have celebrated a goal this season.

In barely a month, Barça have managed to put 10 past Real Madrid in an express comeback to become sole leaders. Carlos Ancelotti’s team are going through a bad patch having lost in Cornellà (1-0) and against Real Betis, and drawing against Osasuna and Atlético de Madrid, while the azulgrana went full steam ahead with victories against Alavés (1-0), Sevilla (1-4), Rayo (1-0), Las Palmas (0-2) and Real Sociedad (4-0).

Working in the offices

With the season under control on the pitch, Deco has already been working in the offices in what is expected to be a hectic summer at Can Barça. There are renewals to be closed, players to be released and reinforcements to arrive, but all of this depends on financial fair play. FC Barcelona has achieved a considerable improvement in its salary cap, reaching a significantly higher figure than a year ago. This increase has been possible thanks to LaLiga’s authorization of the 1:1 system on January 5th, following the presentation of the agreement for the exploitation of the future boxes at the Camp Nou. However, the application of the 1:1 rule, i.e., that for every euro of salary savings another euro can be spent, is not guaranteed. This doubt that leaves the application of the rule up in the air would be due to the fact that LaLiga has questioned one of Barça‘s two operations for VIP seats (the one carried out with New Era Visionary Group, from the United Arab Emirates) in its allegations sent to the CSD for the registration of Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor.

Selling players, Fermín with girlfriends

This economic situation makes it essential to sell players. Although there are candidates who are set on leaving, there are also players marked as indispensable who have girlfriends and one could think of doing business with them. In that sense, Barça does not rule out cashing in on Fermín in the coming transfer window, as long as an interesting offer arrives and the 21-year-old player asks to leave. Fermín has a contract until June 2029 and his clause is 500 million euros. Considering that the Spanish international is already valued at around 50 million euros on Transfermarkt, it is likely that his departure would leave a similar figure in the Barça coffers.

Manchester United and Bayern Munich are two of the clubs that would be willing to invest the most money. The first offer from Old Trafford and Munich would be around 45 million, an interesting figure, but below the club’s financial expectations. And the fact is that, for the moment, López is not on the list of players available for transfer, beyond the club’s need to raise cash to strengthen itself for next season. The FC Barcelona midfielder is still a key player in Hansi Flick’s scheme of things, but the tough competition for a place in the starting eleven could lead Fermín to look for a change of scenery next summer.

Atleti joins the bidding

Atlético de Madrid has set its sights on the Barça player. The Rojiblancos are ready to start negotiations with FC Barcelona with the aim of signing him in the next summer transfer window. Diego Pablo Simeone is a great admirer of the Andalusian midfielder’s talent and believes that signing him would significantly strengthen the team’s structure for next season.