Barcelona’s 21-year-old midfield gem attracting Atletico Madrid’s interest – report

Atletico Madrid have reportedly set their sights on Barcelona’s young midfielder Fermin Lopez, with plans to negotiate his transfer in the upcoming summer window. 

According to Fichajes, Diego Simeone is a strong admirer of the 21-year-old and believes that his arrival would add both quality and depth to Atletico’s squad ahead of next season.

The outlet mentions that Simeone is eager to strengthen his midfield with versatile players who can bring creativity and energy to the team, and Fermin perfectly fits that profile. 

The Barcelona academy graduate has established himself as an important player under Hansi Flick this season, featuring in 25 matches while contributing five goals and five assists. 

His ability to impact games in the final third, combined with his work ethic, has caught the attention of Atletico’s management.

Barcelona will not part ways

Interestingly, Barcelona are not keen on parting ways with one of their promising young talents, who is also wanted in the Premier League. 

Atletico Madrid are interested in Fermin Lopez. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Fermin is seen as a valuable asset for the club’s future, and the coaching staff recognise his potential. Despite this, Barcelona’s ongoing financial concerns mean that they must evaluate all serious offers. 

Joan Laporta is reluctant to sell but would consider negotiations if Atletico present a financially convincing proposal.

Atletico Madrid’s argument 

A key factor in Atletico’s pursuit is the promise of a more significant role for Fermin in their squad. While competition in Barcelona’s midfield is fierce, Simeone’s system could allow the young Spaniard to become a central figure in his project. 

This could be an enticing prospect for the player, as regular playing time at a high level is crucial for his development.

The summer transfer window will be decisive in shaping Fermin’s future. He faces a choice between staying at Barcelona and fighting for a place in the team or taking on a fresh challenge at Atletico, where he could play a pivotal role under Simeone’s guidance.