Barça has had an outstanding season, winning the Spanish Super Cup and the Copa del Rey, and is now on the verge of being crowned league champions. With this backdrop, where the only thorn in their side has been the Champions League, where they lost their place in the final at the last gasp against Inter, it is no surprise that the Azulgrana team has been in the spotlight and its players are attracting suitors in the summer transfer market, where FC Barcelona will have to consider departures to make room.
Hansi Flick has played a key role in this successful season, but so have the less important players who have taken on secondary roles and given their all whenever they have had the opportunity. Names such as Gavi, Fermín López and Ferran Torres have been crucial in winning titles this season. A great season that has put them on the map.
The salary cap may force difficult decisions
This has led financially powerful teams to take an interest in players who do not appear to be up for transfer, but the club’s financial situation could force it to make difficult decisions and let go of untouchable players.
The fact is that Barça has exceeded the salary cap and needs to make room. Obviously, there are candidates to leave the Azulgrana team in the summer, but their lack of playing time and prominence could complicate the situation, forcing the club to face difficult and painful sales.
The situation was complicated when LaLgia cast doubt on the sale of the VIP boxes and an audit confirmed that they cannot be accounted for in this financial year as they are not an effective sale, meaning that as they do not enter the current financial year, they have caused Barça to break the 1:1 rule.
Fermín’s suitors
FC Barcelona’s financial situation makes it essential to sell players. One of those painful departures could be Fermín, who has a contract until June 2029 and a release clause of €500 million. Transfermarkt values him at €50 million, which could be a very tempting offer for Barça in the summer transfer market.
Manchester United and Bayern Munich are two of the clubs that would be most willing to invest. The first offer from Old Trafford and Munich would be around €45 million, an interesting figure, but below the club’s financial expectations.
Another team that has shown interest in the player is Simeone’s Atlético Madrid, and they would not be the only ones, as Pep Guardiola’s City is also interested. In addition, there has also been talk in the Premier League of another team that would be willing to bet everything on signing the player. We are talking about Chelsea, who are said to be willing to invest €40 million to get the green light from Barça for Fermín.
Saudi Arabia on the charge for Fermín
Saudi Arabia continues to make waves. The threat of the Saudi league has been looming over LaLiga all season, and now they have set their sights on Fermín. According to Relevo, Saudi Arabia’s contract offer for the Barça midfielder would exceed €8 million net per season. This is more than he earns at FC Barcelona, which would not let him go for less than €60 million.
Under contract with the Catalan club until 2029, the attacking midfielder will do everything in his power to be decisive for Flick and not give Barça, who do not want to let him go, any reason to think twice.