Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City could make a move for Barcelona’s Fermin Lopez in the winter transfer window.
According to a report from Juvelive.it, Manchester City could knock on the doors of Barcelona for the signature of Fermin Lopez. Pep Guardiola’s team have identified the Spanish international as an ideal replacement for Bernardo Silva, who could end up parting ways with the club as early as January.
Lopez joined the Catalan giants back in 2016. He went up the ranks at some pace and got promoted to the first team in the summer of 2023. The 22-year-old attacking midfielder has only gone from strength to strength and has established himself as a key part of their squad.
While there is a lot of competition at Barcelona for the number ten role, and Lopez was more of a rotational option for Flick last season, he certainly played a massive part in their dominant run. In just over 2,000 minutes of first-team action in his 46 appearances, he bagged eight goals and 10 assists.
His impressive rise and exceptional performances have put him on the wishlist of Manchester City. While Lopez wants to continue at Barcelona and his contract there runs until 2029, Pep Guardiola’s team could flex their financial muscle to strike a deal at the start of next year.
Lopez is a top target for City
The Spanish manager is a huge admirer of the 22-year-old, who can create, score, control the tempo, and work tirelessly off the ball. He sees Lopez as an ideal fit for his system, thanks to his versatility, and wants him to replace the ageing Bernardo Silva in the squad.
While Silva remains an integral part of the City squad, his future has become a massive talking point. Benfica are keen on re-signing him, while Juventus are also interested in his services. Both clubs could look to strike a deal in the winter window.
If the Portuguese international ends up leaving, City could launch a move for Lopez at the turn of the calendar. Ideally, Barcelona wouldn’t want to let go of such a talent, but given their financial situation, a significant offer could certainly be tempting for them.