The rapid rise of football in Saudi Arabia shows no signs of slowing down. After a wave of high-profile signings involving stars in the twilight of their careers, clubs in the region are now turning their attention to younger players with long-term potential. One of their latest targets is Fermin Lopez, the dynamic midfielder from FC Barcelona.
According to Relevo, interest from Saudi Arabia in the 21-year-old is serious. Sources claim that Lopez has been offered a net annual salary exceeding eight million euros—an astronomical figure that dwarfs his current earnings at the Catalan club. The offer is part of a broader strategy to attract rising European talent with aggressive financial packages and a central role in ambitious sporting projects.
However, Barcelona is not prepared to let one of its brightest prospects leave so easily. With a contract running until June 2029, the club has made it clear that any negotiation would start with the player’s release clause, which is set at 60 million euros. In other words: Fermin is non-transferable unless a club is willing to meet that full amount.
The message from the club’s leadership is clear. Deco and Joan Laporta see Lopez as a key figure in Barcelona’s rebuilding phase, and they believe his development under the current sporting project is far from complete. The idea of losing him at this stage, regardless of the money involved, is not on the table—at least for now.
Fermin, for his part, is said to be fully focused on earning his place at Barça and continuing his rise in La Liga. Despite the tempting figures being thrown around, those close to the player indicate that he remains committed to his current path and values the opportunity of building his career at Camp Nou.
Still, the interest from Saudi Arabia marks a shift in the transfer market landscape. No longer satisfied with bringing in veterans, clubs in the region are now aiming to disrupt the plans of Europe’s top institutions by targeting their most promising young talents. And in this new game, money talks louder than ever.
With the summer window approaching, this won’t be the last time Fermin Lopez’s name appears linked to major offers. But for now, Barcelona holds the cards—and the price.
from: elfutbolero.us