Barcelona boss Hansi Flick has dropped the biggest hint yet that Fermin Lopez could soon be rewarded with a new contract after his stunning display against Olympiacos.
The midfielder scored a hat-trick in the 6-1 Champions League win, taking home both the match ball and the MVP award — and, perhaps, earning himself a long-term place in Flick’s plans.
The 22-year-old’s future was uncertain just a few months ago, with Chelsea reportedly eyeing a late move for him during the summer window.
Barcelona were said to have placed a steep €90 million price tag on him, and the player himself made it clear that leaving was never part of his plan.
“My priority has always been to be at Barcelona,” Fermin said earlier. “I arrived when I was 12; it was my dream to be here, to be able to reach the first team.”
And judging by Flick’s latest comments, that dream is very much alive — and might soon come with improved terms.
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Hansi Flick gives his verdict on Fermin Lopez
Speaking after the game, Flick couldn’t stop praising the young Spaniard. “Fermin Lopez has a lot of potential. We always wanted to keep him at the club,” he said. “He’s different, dynamic... For us, he’s a very important player.”
That line — “we always wanted to keep him” — felt like more than just a compliment. It sounded like a promise. In the world of football talk, that’s as close as you get to a contract tease without actually announcing one.
Flick also hailed Lopez’s all-round performance, adding, “He scores, he runs, he’s very complete. His performance was sensational.”
The timing couldn’t be better. With El Clasico against Real Madrid approaching, Barcelona fans have been calling for the academy product to be tied down long-term, fearing more Premier League attention.
Fermin’s rise has been rapid. Once seen as a fringe player, he’s now one of Flick’s go-to options in midfield — a hard-working, box-crashing engine who thrives under pressure.
His hat-trick against Olympiacos not only sealed Barcelona’s confidence but also cemented his growing reputation as one of Spain’s brightest young stars.
For a player who once said, “My goal is to stay here,” it looks like he’s well on his way to doing just that — with Flick fully in his corner.
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