How talks with Flick and Deco convinced Barcelona midfielder to stay amidst Premier League interest | OneFootball

During the summer transfer window, Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez found himself at the centre of intense speculation.

Reports linked him with a big-money move to Chelsea, who made a strong push to lure him to London.

The offer was tempting, not only for the player but also for those close to him.

Yet, in the end, Fermin chose to stay, showing his loyalty and commitment to Barcelona despite the doubts around his role in the squad.

Talks with Flick changed everything

According to revelations made by the podcast Barça Reservat (h/t SPORT), Fermin had open conversations with both coach Hansi Flick and sporting director Deco during the tense final days of the transfer market.

As soon as Chelsea’s interest became concrete, Fermin approached Flick directly.

He admitted that while his heart was set on continuing at Barça, he was also considering Chelsea’s proposal because he felt his playing time last season had not reflected his efforts on the pitch.

Fermin Lopez was linked to Chelsea. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

Flick understood the frustration but told Fermin he rated him highly and wanted him in the squad.

At the same time, Flick was honest and explained he could not guarantee more minutes due to strong competition in midfield.

Deco’s perspective and the final outcome

Afterwards, Fermin also spoke with Deco. The sporting director showed empathy for the youngster’s situation, telling him that if Chelsea returned with an offer that matched Barcelona’s demands, the club would not stand in his way.

However, Chelsea never reached the figure Barça were asking for, which meant the door to a transfer closed.

In the end, the outcome was positive for Barcelona. Flick kept a talented midfielder he trusts, while Fermin reaffirmed his commitment to the club he grew up in.

Now, his main challenge is to break into the starting XI, where his biggest competition comes from Dani Olmo.