Manchester City faces a crucial summer after finishing a campaign well below expectations. The elimination in the round of 16 of the Club World Cup against Al-Hilal has left a bitter taste among the Citizens and has raised alarms about the need for a restructuring. Pep Guardiola, aware that his project needs a boost, has already outlined the first steps to strengthen the squad.
The departure of key figures like Kevin de Bruyne to Napoli has heightened the urgency to find new pieces that bring quality and leadership. The Catalan coach believes that the team needs players with youth, character, and the ability to make a difference at key moments. These are elements that weren't always present last season.
Guardiola has a clear bet
In this context, Pep has set his sights on Fermín López as one of his top targets. The Barça midfielder has made a strong impression in his first campaigns with the first team, standing out for his runs into the box, his ability, and his maturity despite his youth. Guardiola believes he could be the ideal replacement to fill the gap left by De Bruyne in the Citizens' midfield.
City's interest comes at a time when Fermín's future at Camp Nou isn't guaranteed. With the imminent arrival of new players, which will force Hansi Flick to adjust his system, the young Andalusian's role could be reduced. This opens the door to a possible departure if he doesn't receive guarantees of a leading role in the new Barça project.
City accelerates to close the deal
Pep Guardiola has reportedly asked Manchester City's board to move forward with negotiations with Barça to prevent other top-level clubs from getting ahead. According to sources close to the matter, the English side would be willing to offer around €50 million for the Spanish international. This figure could be key for the blaugrana to improve its financial situation and register its new signings.
The deal isn't closed yet, but sources in England trust that the good relationship between Pep and Barça could facilitate an agreement. Meanwhile, Fermín is assessing his situation, aiming to play regularly to secure a spot in Spain's squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup.