A player with blonde hair appears in front of the Manchester City crest against a pink background.

Pep Guardiola raises Barça's offer to over €60M: now or never, Lamine Yamal decides

A Barça star could leave the club after receiving a direct offer from Etihad Stadium

Manchester City wants to fish at Camp Nou and has already made a move for a highly desired piece. The English club is willing to pay a multimillion sum to sign a young blaugrana player. For weeks, Pep Guardiola has been closely following his development and has directly requested his signing.

Barça are aware of the interest and don't rule out moves if a hard-to-refuse offer arrives. Meanwhile, the player doesn't have a guaranteed leading role under Hansi Flick. The competition for his position is fierce, and his situation has raised doubts about his continuity.

Although he renewed his contract recently, his camp doesn't rule out a departure if the situation doesn't improve in the short term. His desire has always been to succeed at Barça, but he doesn't want to go unnoticed on the bench. He believes he has performed at a good level and deserves a clearer opportunity to shine.

Coach Pep Guardiola, standing on stage at the FIFA The Best gala, receiving an award
Pep Guardiola | @ManCityES

Flick doesn't guarantee him minutes and Guardiola wants him now

During the past campaign, he had moments of great quality, but he didn't achieve the consistency he wanted in the starting line-up. On several occasions, he was used as a substitute, something he saw as a lack of trust. He feels that other teammates didn't contribute as much and yet had more prominence.

The new coach has valued his attitude and effort positively, but sees others ahead of him in the rotation. The player doesn't want to spend another season in the background, especially with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon. To keep his place in Luis de la Fuente's drafts, he needs minutes and influence in his team.

This is where Manchester City's proposal comes in, driven directly by Pep Guardiola. The Catalan coach has recommended his signing for his versatility, ability to get into the box, and goal-scoring skills. He believes he would fit perfectly into the English club's system and could reach his full potential.

A man gestures while speaking at a sporting event, with two people in the background.
Hansi Flick | @FCBarcelona

An offer that's very hard to ignore

According to sources close to the negotiation, Manchester City has put a very significant figure on the table. The offer reaches €60 million, an amount (about $65 million) that would make any Barça executive think twice. The board is weighing the operation, although the club's bet on the player's future also carries weight.

The club doesn't want to let go of any academy player without first ensuring compensation in line with his talent. But they also recognize that it would be a way to ease salary tensions and finance other strategic operations. Everything will depend on how the squad evolves and the role Flick ultimately assigns him.

In England, they trust the player will accept the challenge of making the leap to the Premier League. They know his priority is to play and that the current scenario at Barça doesn't guarantee him enough prominence. In Manchester, they're offering him minutes, international visibility, and a top-level competitive environment.

Roberto De Zerbi and Pep Guardiola hugging after a match.
Pep Guardiola | Premier League

Imminent decision for Laporta and Deco

Internally, the sporting management keeps calm and won't rush when deciding. There is full trust in the player's talent, but they're also aware of his ambition and the risk of losing him for free later on. If a higher offer arrives, the scenario could change quickly.

Flick still hasn't made a final decision about his role in the 2025/26 squad. The player has started preseason with intensity, but his future remains hanging in the air. Everything points to a key conversation between the footballer and the coaching staff in the coming days.

Manchester City hasn't set its sights on just anyone: the player they've offered €60 million (about $65 million) for is Fermín López. An academy product, versatile, and with a knack for scoring, he could leave Barça if he's not guaranteed the prominence he's seeking. Laporta has the final say... and it won't be easy.

Two soccer players celebrate a goal in a stadium full of spectators.
Fermín and Gavi celebrating a goal | @FCBarcelona