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Sunderland are linked with Fermín López – but Barcelona’s £438million contract clause makes a deal fantasy
Sunderland have been linked with an astonishing move for Barcelona midfielder Fermín López in a report from Spanish outlet Fichajes, who claim the Black Cats have tabled an €80million (£70.3million) offer for the 22-year-old ahead of a potential deal in 2026.
According to the report, Sunderland’s supposed intention is for López to become a “leader of the new project” under Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, joining a young core already making an impact in the Premier League. Fichajes suggest the Wearsiders view the versatile midfielder – who can operate as a No 8, No 10 or left-sider – as a transformational signing.
Barcelona have not, the report says, issued a “definitive answer”, with an “internal debate” taking place at the Nou Camp as the Catalan club continue to wrestle with long-running financial pressures. Manager Hansi Flick, however, has publicly expressed his desire to keep the player long-term, praising López as “very complete”, “dynamic”, and someone who “has it all”.
Why a Sunderland move for Fermín López is unlikely
López has been one of Barcelona’s breakout performers this season, scoring six goals and registering four assists in 11 appearances, form that has seen him become a key figure for Flick far sooner than expected. In October 2025, the club extended his contract until June 2029 and set his buyout clause at a staggering €500million (£438million).
And it is this contract situation – coupled with his rapid rise – that makes any Sunderland move highly unlikely despite the Spanish reporting. While the Black Cats have invested heavily since their return to the Premier League, a deal in the region of £70million would be over double their current record outlay and wildly out of step with their sustainable-spend recruitment model.
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Barcelona, meanwhile, would have no sporting incentive to part with one of their most exciting homegrown talents for anything significantly below his release clause, even amid financial strain. Sunderland would also have to consider PSR this January. The Black Cats have room to manoeuvre and money to spend this winter, but such a big deal could cause issues down the line.
In short, while Fichajes have floated the idea of Sunderland making a bold play for López, the combination of Barcelona’s stance, the player’s new long-term contract and the sheer economics involved means a transfer of this scale remains highly improbable at this stage. This is a fascinating link – but a wildly unrealistic one. If López leaves Barcelona one day, it will almost certainly be for a Champions League giant, not a Premier League project still establishing itself at the top level. Plenty dismissed the Granit Xhaka whispers last summer and were made to look foolish soon enough. But this feels different. This feels several steps beyond unlikely – even compared to that.
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