Barcelona almost sold breakthrough academy gem for €600,000 last year

The meteoric rise of Fermin Lopez has been one of the major highlights for Barcelona in an otherwise disappointing 2023/24 campaign.

Fermin, who was plying his trade in the third division of Spanish football last season, has become a key attacking outlet for Barça this season, notably racking up eight goals in all competitions.

However, Fermin’s career trajectory could have panned out very differently as Barcelona were close to selling the young prodigy for just over half a million last year.

Fermin was rejected by a Polish club

As recently revealed by Diario SPORT, Fermin, during his time on loan at Linares, was close to a move to Rakow Czestochowa.

Rakow play in the first division of Polish football and are currently sixth in Ekstraklasa. They were linked with a move for Fermin around April of last year.

Fermin was close to a Poland move last year (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Fermin Lopez’s agents even agreed a move to the Polish first division and Barcelona were slated to receive a transfer fee of less than €600,000.

However, at that time, Rakow were going through major changes in coaching and technical staff. The new regime decided against signing the Barcelona starlet, citing tactical shortcomings.

Rakow also felt Fermin Lopez would not have made much of a difference in the final third, which is why they decided to not go through with the operation.

What happened next?

After a failed move to Rakow Czestochowa, Fermin Lopez continued his loan spell at Linares. He ended the season by scoring 12 goals and mustering four assists.

Impressed by his performances, Xavi Hernandez decided to include him in Barcelona’s pre-season setup and the rest, as they say, is history.

Fast forward to May 2024, Fermin has been involved in nine goals for Barcelona this season and it seems Barcelona have scrapped plans to sell the Spaniard in the coming summer.

If anything, Fermin could be set for an elevated role at Barça next season, as he eventually looks to compete with the likes of Gavi and Pedri for a place in the first team.