Fermín López looks like he'll finally keep wearing Barça's jersey this season. Chelsea had shown great interest in the Andalusian midfielder, even willing to make a multi-million euro offer, but the player has chosen to stay. The decision, celebrated in the locker room and by Flick, strengthens the squad at a key moment at the start of the league season.
However, the situation doesn't seem settled in the long term. With Dani Olmo established as the starting attacking midfielder, Fermín knows he won't have an easy time earning a spot in the starting eleven. That constant competition could open the door again to a future transfer if he doesn't manage to establish himself in the team.
The pending issue with Ter Stegen
With the Fermín chapter apparently solved, Barça will have to face an even more delicate matter: Ter Stegen's future. The German is in the middle of recovering from his back injury and, in theory, he should rejoin the team's routine in the coming months. However, in the club the situation is clear and the starter is Joan García.
The commitment to the young Catalan goalkeeper is total. Joan has already shown in his first matches security, reflexes, and personality, convincing Flick and earning the trust of the locker room. For Barça, the goal already has an owner, and that greatly complicates Ter Stegen's role in the immediate future.
The club wants him out in January
The board want Ter Stegen to leave in the January transfer window. The reason is not only sporting, but also financial. His departure would free up a significant part of the wage bill, giving the club more room to maneuver in future operations.
The problem is that, according to El Nacional, Ter Stegen himself doesn't share that idea. The German keeps his intention to fulfill his contract until 2028. He is convinced he can win back a spot in the starting eleven and insists he isn't considering a change of scenery.
The 2026 World Cup, the club's main card
At Barça they know this standoff won't be solved overnight. The club is aware that convincing Ter Stegen will take time, but they also believe they have a strong argument with the 2026 World Cup. For Germany, the goalkeeper position remains an open issue, and the German knows that to aim for the starting spot he must arrive with quality minutes.
The board trust that this factor will play in their favor. If Ter Stegen wants to be between the posts at the World Cup, he'll need a leading role that seems difficult to regain at Barça. That will be the key element in negotiations over the coming months, in a standoff that will shape the immediate future of the Barça goal.