Barcelona had a pre-agreement to sign 22-year-old midfield target during Mateu Alemany’s reign

Barcelona’s interest in Almeria midfielder Dion Lopy was documented by us a few hours ago and following up on that, a report from Mundo Deportivo has affirmed that the Blaugrana actually first took notice of the 22-year-old during Mateu Alemany’s reigns when the player was still playing for Stade Reims.

The outlet affirms that the former sporting director of FC Barcelona actually reached a pre-agreement with Lopy.

But the move fell through owing to the Financial Fair Play regulation. Back then, the move did not materialize but the 22-year-old has appeared as an option for the team once again.

Long admirers of Lopy

Lopy has been a prospect for Barcelona’s midfield for a considerable period. During the recent winter transfer window, there was an attempt to secure the Senegalese midfielder, but the deal fell through due to Barcelona’s financial fair play constraints and Almeria’s demands.

Meanwhile, this isn’t the first time Barcelona has pursued Lopy. In a previous instance, when he was with Stade Reims in Ligue 1 and Mateu Alemany held the position of Barça’s football director, advanced negotiations were in progress. 

Dion Lopy signed for Almeria in 2023. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

Alemany had a pre-agreement with Lopy’s representatives regarding the terms of his potential transfer. However, the complexities of balancing sporting and financial priorities prevented the operation from materializing at that time.

Barcelona’s report on the midfielder

In August 2023, Lopy moved from Stade Reims to Almeria after the latter agreed to pay a fee of €6.5 million in fixed terms and an additional €3.5 million in bonuses, underlining the financial feasibility of the deal.

Despite playing for the struggling Almería side this season, Lopy has shown quality, physicality, and determination as a defensive midfielder, something that Barcelona desperately need. 

As for Blaugrana, they have continued to monitor him, and they plan to keep the option of signing him open for the summer transfer market based on positive reports about his performance.