After a challenging 2024/25 campaign that saw Manchester City finish third, a distant 13 points behind champions Liverpool, Pep Guardiola knows something must change in midfield.
Kevin De Bruyne’s exit on a free transfer has left a creative hole that no one has yet been able to fill.
City moved last summer to sign Rayan Cherki from Lyon for £30m, but the Frenchman is yet to pull on a shirt in the Premier League.
Lucas Paquetá, so heavily linked with City last year, seemed a logical solution before allegations of betting rule breaches halted a potential move.
Although Paquetá has since been cleared and is reportedly available for £30m, City’s attention appears to have shifted.
According to reports from Spain last week, they are now considering a bid for a 22-year-old midfielder, already being dubbed by many as the new Andres Iniesta.
Why Man City could be chasing the new Iniesta
Fermin López is a graduate of Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy - the same finishing school that honed teammates Lamine Yamal, Gavi and Pedri.
After Barcelona’s 1-0 win over Sevilla in 2023, Planet Football described López as “an Iniesta regen,” while respected talent scout Jacek Kulig labelled him a “genius.”
Those comparisons are not unfounded. López is technically sublime, boasting a silky first touch, a powerful engine, and an uncanny sense of space.
Last season, he played 46 games for Barcelona in all competitions, scoring eight goals and providing ten assists.
That kind of production is impressive, particularly for a player who only started eight matches in the league.
He thrives as an advanced midfielder but can also operate off the left wing, where his sharp movement and awareness of space can be especially dangerous.
His influence extends beyond club football.
López was a central figure in Spain’s Olympic gold medal win last summer, starting every match and finishing with six goals and two assists in six.
Barcelona, however, are reluctant to let him go.
While his contract is valid until 2029 with a colossal €500m buy-out clause, reports suggest the Catalan club might listen to serious offers around £52m.
Given Barcelona’s well-documented financial issues, City could sense an opportunity to secure a player uniquely suited to Guardiola’s system.
Why Lopez could be Pep’s new midfield maestro
A deeper dive into López’s metrics makes a persuasive case for why City are so interested.
Statistically, according to FBref, he ranks in the 95th percentile for assists per 90 (0.42) and the 91st percentile for non-penalty expected goals per 90 (0.39).
This is a player who doesn’t just move the ball well; he directly contributes to scoring opportunities and even finishes them himself.
Fermin Lopez
His pass completion rate of 82.2% (88th percentile) suggests composure under pressure, while his progressive passing numbers are also strong - 4.96 progressive passes per 90, ranking in the 74th percentile.
Crucially, he ranks in the 91st percentile for passes into the final third per 90 (4.12), reflecting a player capable of breaking lines and unpicking compact defences.
FC Barcelona's Fermin Lopez in action with Las Palmas' Stefan Bajcetic
López is active beyond just attacking numbers.
His involvement is consistent, with 59.33 touches per 90 (84th percentile), and he offers defensive contributions with 4.65 ball recoveries per 90 (80th percentile), which is crucial to Guardiola’s counter-pressing approach.
These figures paint the picture of a complete midfielder who can contribute on both sides of the ball, matching City’s demands for work rate, positional intelligence, and technical skill.
In profile, López is similar to other multi-functional, creative players like Dani Olmo, Jamal Musiala, or Michael Olise.
Spain's Dani Olmo, Marc Cucurella and Fermin Lopez celebrate with the trophy after winning the final
He can carry the ball, link short combinations, and accelerate the game when needed.
That hybrid skillset is precisely what Guardiola values most - someone who can help dominate possession but also break lines and score goals.
For City, Fermín López could represent a long-term successor to De Bruyne. The Belgian’s departure has left a gap not just in terms of output but in leadership and a sense of decisive creativity.
López, with his La Masia education and fearless big-game mentality, could inherit that responsibility.
There are still elements to refine - he will need to adjust to the Premier League’s speed and physicality - but his technical base gives him a solid platform.
Of course, the question is whether Barcelona will really cash in.
The club remains under financial pressure, which means a serious bid from City could get their attention despite the €500m release clause.
And with López under contract until 2029, it may take persuasive negotiations, and a hefty offer, to bring him to the Etihad.
fermin-lopez-barcelona
While the Paquetá rumours have resurfaced thanks to his clearance, City fans may be more excited by the idea of López: younger, and with a trajectory that mirrors some of Spain’s most legendary midfielders.
If Pep Guardiola does get his wish, Manchester City supporters could soon be watching a player built in the image of Iniesta, but wearing sky blue.