In what could become one of the most debated transfer moves of the summer, Inter Milan has emerged as a serious contender to sign Barcelona’s promising midfielder, Fermín López. The young Spaniard, who has gradually carved out a name for himself at the Camp Nou, is now reportedly high on the list of priorities for the Italian champions.
The Nerazzurri’s growing interest in Fermín is not entirely surprising. Fresh from clinching the Serie A title and earning a spot in the 2025 UEFA Champions League final, Inter Milan is planning for the future with careful precision. One of their main objectives is finding a long-term replacement for Henrikh Mkhitaryan, the 36-year-old Armenian international whose contract runs until 2026 but who is unlikely to feature heavily in the club’s future plans.
Italian outlet Calciomercato, as cited by Mundo Deportivo, claims that Inter Milan’s management has identified Fermín López as the ideal candidate to fill that looming void in their midfield. At just 22 years old, López offers both the technical brilliance and the tactical versatility that Simone Inzaghi reportedly values in a modern attacking midfielder.
Barcelona, meanwhile, finds itself once again navigating the stormy waters of financial constraints. The club remains shackled by La Liga’s Financial Fair Play rules, which demand drastic measures—restructured salaries, reduced wage bills, and the painful reality of selling players, even those from La Masia, the club’s famed youth academy.
Fermín, though not yet a guaranteed starter under any of Barcelona’s recent coaches, including new head coach Hansi Flick, has impressed during cameo appearances. His ability to influence games off the bench and inject creativity into the midfield has not gone unnoticed by top clubs across Europe. Still, Barcelona’s need to balance its books may outweigh their desire to keep him.
Reports suggest that Barcelona would be willing to part with Fermín if a suitable offer is tabled. A price tag of around €60 million has reportedly been set—an amount that would significantly boost the club’s financial maneuverability, enabling contract renewals and potentially opening the door for new signings.
The very idea of losing Fermín to Inter has caused disquiet among Barcelona supporters. Many see him as part of the club’s future—a technically sound, homegrown player who represents the club’s core values. Selling him to a European rival like Inter, especially after the emotionally charged Champions League battles between the two sides, would be viewed by some fans as a betrayal of the club’s footballing philosophy.
However, the counterargument is difficult to ignore. Barcelona’s midfield is currently saturated with high-profile names—Pedri, Gavi, Frenkie de Jong, Ilkay Gündogan, and more. With fierce competition for minutes, Fermín may find it increasingly difficult to break into the starting lineup. A move to Inter could offer him more playing time, a prominent role, and the chance to compete regularly at the highest level.
From Inter’s perspective, Fermín fits the mold of their transfer strategy: investing in young, technically adept players with high resale value. His progression at Barcelona and his performances at both domestic and European levels have convinced Inter’s board that he could blossom into a key figure for the club over the next decade.
Yet, a deal is far from finalized. No official offer has been submitted, and Barcelona is expected to tread carefully. The club may choose to wait for other suitors to step forward in hopes of sparking a bidding war, or they may be gauging Fermín’s development in preseason under Flick before making a final decision.
As the summer transfer window approaches, the Catalan club stands at a crossroads. Will they cash in on Fermín now to stabilize their finances, or will they risk missing out on a potentially transformative midfield talent? For Fermín López, the months ahead may define the trajectory of his career—and for Barcelona, it may represent yet another chapter in their ongoing financial saga.
