Ruben Amorim is already making his mark at Manchester United, setting his sights on a high-profile signing to strengthen his squad.
According to reports, the Portuguese manager has reportedly instructed Sir Jim Ratcliffe to prepare a €50 million bid for Barcelona’s Fermin Lopez. As Amorim embarks on his first transfer window at the helm of the Red Devils, all eyes are on his approach to shaping the team, particularly in the context of his preferred 3-4-3 formation. If these reports are to be believed, Lopez could be the first player to join under Amorim’s leadership.
The 21-year-old attacker, who can play as an attack-minded midfielder or on the flanks, is said to be at the centre of Amorim’s early plans for the squad. According to Spanish outlet El Nacional, Amorim has instructed Ratcliffe to table the €50m offer for Fermin as United look to bolster their attacking options. The player’s versatility and ability to make an impact in the final third have reportedly caught the attention of the new manager, who is looking to bring in a player capable of fitting into his tactical setup.
Fermin has shown flashes of his potential, particularly in European competition. Despite limited minutes in La Liga, the young Spanish talent has scored once and registered two assists in just 93 minutes of Champions League action this season. This has raised questions about his role at Barcelona, where competition for places is fierce. Fermin’s lack of consistent starts in La Liga has led to growing speculation that he could look for more game time elsewhere, with reports indicating that he may be open to a move if his situation at Barcelona does not improve in the coming weeks.
The Spanish outlet suggests that Fermin could opt to leave the Catalan giants if manager Hansi Flick doesn’t start to integrate him more into the starting lineup. With Barcelona’s crowded attack, including several high-profile players vying for starting positions, Fermin’s frustrations may continue to grow. As a result, he may be tempted by a move to Manchester United, where Amorim could offer him a more prominent role in a team that is in need of fresh attacking talent.
While this all sounds promising for United’s chances, a closer look at Fermin’s current situation paints a more complicated picture. Only recently, at the end of October, Fermin signed a long-term contract extension with Barcelona, keeping him at the Camp Nou until 2029. This new deal came with a significant pay rise and, perhaps more crucially, a €500 million release clause that effectively gives Barcelona full control over the player’s future. With such a prohibitive release clause in place, United’s ability to secure a transfer for Fermin is complicated at best.
What makes matters even more difficult for Manchester United is Fermin’s own words following the signing of his new contract. In a statement carried by renowned transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Fermin expressed his happiness at committing his future to Barcelona: “I’m so happy to stay at Barca until 2029 and I hope even beyond that. It was impossible to predict that just one year ago, I hope to stay at Barca for many and many years.” These comments suggest that Fermin sees his future in Catalonia for the long haul, making a move to Old Trafford appear unlikely unless his situation changes drastically.
Advertisement
Latest Press Conference
We’re on Social Media
The €500 million release clause inserted into Fermin’s contract serves as a major obstacle for any potential suitors, including Manchester United. While it is highly unlikely that any club would meet such an astronomical fee, it also indicates Barcelona’s firm stance on keeping the player. In this context, the club would have to consider an offer far lower than his release clause, but it seems unlikely they would entertain a departure unless Fermin himself forces the issue by requesting a move.
Despite the challenges in making a deal happen, the interest from Manchester United is real. Amorim, now in charge at Old Trafford following the sacking of Erik ten Hag, has made it clear that he wants to build a squad capable of competing at the highest level. Fermin’s skill set aligns with Amorim’s tactical vision, which revolves around fluid attacking football and versatile players who can perform in multiple positions. The young Spaniard could add depth to United’s attacking options, offering competition for places in the forward line and providing additional creativity in midfield.
However, given the strong commitment Fermin has shown to Barcelona, it remains to be seen whether he would consider a move to Manchester United, especially in the middle of the season. His current priority appears to be securing more playing time at Barcelona, and unless his role at the club drastically changes, it seems unlikely he will seek a move away anytime soon. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether Fermin becomes a key part of Barcelona’s plans for the season or if he will look for more opportunities elsewhere.
For Manchester United, Fermin represents an exciting prospect, but Amorim may need to be patient as he seeks to build his squad for the long term. With United’s interest now public, it will be interesting to see how Barcelona responds and whether they are open to negotiations. Given the timing of Fermin’s contract extension and his recent comments, United may have to wait until the summer transfer window for a clearer opportunity to sign the young midfielder.
In the meantime, Ruben Amorim’s first transfer window at the helm of Manchester United will be one to watch closely. The club is under pressure to make the right moves, and Amorim’s approach will be key to shaping the team’s future. Whether Fermin Lopez ends up making the move to Old Trafford remains uncertain, but it is clear that Amorim has already set his sights high with a €50 million bid for the Barcelona attacker. Whether or not that bid materializes in January, however, could depend on Fermin’s role at Barcelona and how his situation develops in the coming weeks.
As the January window approaches, Manchester United fans will be watching closely to see if Amorim’s early ambition translates into action. If the deal for Fermin Lopez doesn’t come to fruition, United will likely look at alternative options, but for now, the young Barcelona attacker remains a top target for the Red Devils under their new manager.
