The season started with great expectations around Fermín. The young Andalusian midfielder joined Barça's first team after a golden summer in which he was named MVP of the Olympic Games, a tournament that Spain won. Therefore, everything pointed to his role in Hansi Flick's new Barça being important.
The sports management trusted him, and the initial idea was that, with Flick, he would make a definitive leap in quality. However, the reality of the season took a different direction, and Fermín has not managed to establish himself as expected.
He has been Barça's great game-changer
One of the determining factors in this change of plans was the signing of Dani Olmo. The Spanish international took over one of the positions in the offensive midfield, relegating Fermín to a much more secondary role. Although the Andalusian has had playing time, he has mostly had to settle for coming off the bench as a game-changer.
Throughout the season, he has had some starts, especially in less demanding matches or when Olmo was unavailable, but he has not managed to establish himself as a regular starter.
He wants to be a starter
Fermín himself doesn't hide his ambition. He feels ready to be a starter, with the quality and mentality necessary to perform from the first minute. He doesn't want to remain stuck in the role of a top-level substitute.
He wants continuity, prominence, and to be an active part of the club's future. Moreover, the big clubs have not been slow to come knocking. For weeks now, there have been rumors that Atlético de Madrid, with Simeone at the helm, has shown great interest in him.
He has a million-dollar offer
But the most surprising offer has not come from Spain, but from Saudi Arabia. According to Relevo, Fermín López has reportedly received a firm proposal from a Saudi club offering him no less than €9 million net per season (9 million euros). An absolutely exorbitant figure for a young player who has not even established himself as a starter.
The proposal, logically, has made the player's entourage consider it. Although his priority remains to succeed at Barça, such an economic offer can't be ignored.