Barcelona’s unexpected response to Manchester United’s €70 million offer to sign Fermin Lopez

In what could have been one of the most shocking transfers of the summer, FC Barcelona have delivered a firm and unexpected response to Manchester United’s growing interest in midfielder Fermin Lopez. Reports from Spain, particularly from Sport and Mundo Deportivo, indicate that the English giants are ready to table a €70 million (£61 million) bid for the 22-year-old midfielder, but Barcelona’s stance has taken many by surprise.

Manchester United, now under the leadership of Ruben Amorim, have already been active in the market. Having brought in Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo to strengthen the attack, the club has shifted focus to midfield, where Amorim seeks creativity, work rate, and consistency. Fermin Lopez, after a standout campaign with Barcelona—registering eight goals and 10 assists in 46 appearances—has emerged as a primary target.

According to Sport, Barcelona and Fermin’s camp are fully aware of United’s interest, and the Premier League side is expected to formally submit their bid in the coming days. There have also been whispers of earlier approaches from Chelsea, Arsenal, and even clubs in the Saudi Pro League. But Manchester United’s intent appears the most serious so far.

Despite the financial strain currently hanging over the Catalan club, the response from Barcelona has not been what most expected. Rather than opening negotiations, the club’s initial reaction to the €70 million proposal has been one of internal division. While some members of the Barcelona board see the offer as tempting due to the club’s ongoing financial troubles, head coach Hansi Flick has made his position crystal clear—Fermin Lopez must stay.

Flick, who took over the reins this summer, sees Fermin as a key figure in his tactical setup. Sources close to the coach suggest that the German manager has directly communicated his desire to keep the player with the club’s sporting director Deco and president Joan Laporta. Flick believes Fermin’s energy, vision, and versatility make him indispensable for Barcelona’s new era.

The club’s position is further reinforced by the long-term contract Fermin signed last October, which ties him to Barcelona until 2029. Even more telling is the €500 million (£436 million) release clause inserted into that deal—a clear message from the club that Fermin is considered untouchable unless astronomical conditions are met.

However, Barcelona’s financial situation continues to complicate decisions like this. Despite Flick’s resistance, the board remains aware that selling a homegrown talent like Fermin could provide a significant financial cushion, especially as they try to comply with La Liga’s salary cap regulations and prepare for further reinforcements.

Fermin himself has already expressed his desire to stay at Camp Nou. The 22-year-old midfielder has reportedly told his inner circle that he is flattered by the Premier League interest but is focused on cementing his place in the Barcelona first team. For him, the opportunity to learn under Flick and compete in the Champions League with his boyhood club outweighs the allure of England—at least for now.

That doesn’t mean the door is completely shut. If Manchester United follow through with their €70 million offer, the final decision could come down to how urgently Barcelona needs the funds—and how much pressure Flick can withstand from the boardroom. The tension between financial necessity and footballing ambition is once again playing out at Barcelona, a club still recovering from years of mismanagement.

The coming weeks will be crucial. Manchester United are expected to make their offer official soon, and if they add incentives or structure the deal in a favorable way, Barcelona might be forced to revisit their stance. Until then, the club is projecting strength and unity—at least publicly.

For now, Fermin Lopez remains a Barcelona player. And judging by Flick’s insistence and the player’s own loyalty, Manchester United will need more than just money to pry him away from Camp Nou. Whether the Red Devils are prepared to go beyond their initial €70 million valuation remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: Barcelona’s response so far has been far more resolute than expected.