Barcelona midfielder draws interest from Saudi Arabia with €8 million salary offer | OneFootball

Saudi Arabian clubs are no longer just chasing footballers in the twilight of their careers. Their ambitions have shifted, and the focus now includes rising European stars, and Barcelona’s Fermin Lopez has emerged as a key target.

According to a report from SPORT, a Saudi Arabian club has set its sights on the 22-year-old Barça midfielder, preparing a lucrative offer of over €8 million net per season to tempt him away from the Catalan giants.

That figure would massively exceed his current salary at Barcelona and is indicative of just how serious the Saudi project has become in its pursuit of younger, top-level talent.

Barcelona have conditions in place

For what it is worth, Barcelona are standing firm. The club has no intention of letting Fermin go unless a €60 million release clause is met.

With his contract running until 2029, the Catalans hold all the leverage. And for good reason, as Fermin has been one of the brightest revelations of the season.

Under both Xavi and now Hansi Flick, Fermin has shown tactical intelligence, positional versatility, and remarkable consistency.

Fermin Lopez is wanted in Saudi Arabia. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

He has played as a playmaker, a deep midfielder, and even as a winger, always delivering strong performances regardless of where he’s deployed.

His contributions this season include six goals and nine assists, and he is close to breaking his own record for minutes played in a single campaign.

Barcelona have faith in Fermin

Fermin’s rise has not gone unnoticed. Despite fierce competition in midfield, with as many as seven players vying for three spots, and Marc Bernal returning next season after injury, he has managed to cement a spot in Flick’s rotation.

It is no surprise that he has earned the trust of both teammates and the coaching staff.

Barcelona’s management views him as a crucial piece for the present and the future. Hansi Flick reportedly appreciates his energy, work ethic, and flexibility, seeing him as a perfect wild card capable of stepping in whenever and wherever needed.

At a time when the club is carefully balancing its finances and long-term squad planning, Fermin is the kind of player they cannot afford to lose.

That said, the Saudi offer throws an interesting dilemma into the mix. On one hand, the financial package is life-changing for a young player.

On the other hand, Fermin knows he is at a club that is building something under Flick, and he is already an important part of it.