The imminent arrival of Nico Williams at FC Barcelona could trigger a domino effect within the squad. The winger will arrive with starter status, something that will force Hansi Flick to redesign his scheme. Among those affected, Fermín López's name is starting to gain traction.
Barça's "16" already finished last season with a sense of frustration due to his limited minutes. Despite his strong performances, he didn't manage to establish himself as a regular in the German coach's plans. Now, with even fiercer competition, his role in the team could become even more limited.
Fermín has always expressed his desire to succeed at Camp Nou and become an important player. However, he isn't willing to spend another season as an occasional substitute or emergency solution. At 22 years old, he feels that he needs stability and minutes to keep growing as a footballer.
His situation hasn't gone unnoticed in the market, and several clubs have already shown interest in signing him. One of them is Atlético de Madrid, where Diego Simeone has identified him as a top target. The Argentine coach sees in Fermín an ideal profile to strengthen his midfield.
Simeone insists: Fermín, absolute priority at the Metropolitano
Atlético hasn't finalized its squad yet, and although they've signed Álex Baena, they want to add another attacking midfielder. Fermín López is appreciated for his directness, late runs into the box, and competitive character. Simeone considers him a strategic piece to strengthen his project.
The player is seriously considering leaving if he doesn't receive guarantees from Flick. His priority remains Barça, but not at any price or under any condition. With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, he needs continuity to aim for a spot in the squad.
Those close to Atlético have already started talks with his agent to learn about the footballer's willingness. The idea is to present him with a solid project, with real prominence and a significant role from the start. Atlético believe that Fermín would quickly fit into its play style.
Meanwhile, Barça doesn't intend to part with the player in the short term. Joan Laporta trusts his development and prefers to let go of other profiles with lower performance. However, if the situation becomes complicated, they could be forced to consider offers for him.
A move with significant economic implications
Nico Williams's emergence adds pressure to the culé midfield. His arrival will force adjustments that could relegate Fermín to an even more secondary role. This situation could accelerate a departure that, until recently, seemed out of the question.
Flick values Fermín, but he needs to balance a squad that will have many attacking pieces. Competition with Pedri, Gavi, or De Jong and now Williams could drastically reduce his opportunities. That opens the door for Atlético to intensify its pursuit.
Simeone doesn't want to miss the chance to strengthen his squad with a player he knows well. He has followed his progress since the reserve team and believes that, in his system, he could reach his best level. The commitment is firm, and there are already figures on the table.
Atlético de Madrid would be willing to offer between €40 million and €45 million ($43.6 million and $49.2 million) for Fermín's transfer. In addition, they'd propose a five-season contract with an annual net salary close to €4 million ($4.36 million). This offer is well above what he currently earns at Barça.
If the situation isn't solved in the coming weeks, Fermín López's name could become one of the sagas of the summer. Simeone, far from backing down, is preparing the ground to launch the final attack.