Fermín López prolongs contract with Barcelona until ’31, concluding Chelsea interest.
Barcelona midfielder Fermín López has reached an agreement for a contract extension lasting until 2031, as confirmed by sources to ESPN, effectively eliminating any current Chelsea interest in acquiring the Spain international.
Chelsea had explored the possibility of signing Fermín last summer, and although a transfer did not occur, the potential for a Premier League club to entice him with a lucrative offer persisted.
Consequently, Barça initiated discussions to prolong the 22-year-old’s contract earlier this month, with sources indicating that the objective was not only to deter English interest but also to reward him for his performances this season.
Sources further indicate that Barça aimed to finalize the renewal prior to the presidential elections scheduled for March, while coach Hansi Flick sought to avoid a repeat of last summer, when Fermín’s future was a continual topic of speculation.
Fermín had three years remaining on his previous contract, which included a €500 million ($596m) release clause.
The announcement has been positively received by his teammates, including Dani Olmo, who competes directly with Fermín for the No. 10 position in the team.
“I am thrilled for him because it’s what he desires, to be here with us,” Olmo stated in a news conference ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League match against Copenhagen.
“He is an exceptional player and a fantastic teammate. Renewing his contract is beneficial for everyone: the club, the locker room, the supporters.
“We have a strong connection on the field. I understand we occupy the same position, but it has never posed an issue, and now we are getting more opportunities to play together as well.
“We have demonstrated our compatibility, and I am pleased to continue sharing minutes with him.”
Fermín has netted 10 goals and provided 10 assists across all competitions this season, making him one of only four players in Europe’s top five leagues to achieve double figures in both metrics, alongside teammate Lamine Yamal and Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise and Luis Díaz.
The academy product leads Barça in the Champions League with five goals ahead of Copenhagen’s visit to Spotify Camp Nou this week, as the LaLiga leaders aim to secure their place in the top eight and an automatic berth in the round of 16.
Barça will be without Pedri and Frenkie de Jong in midfield against the Danish team, with the former sidelined due to injury and the latter serving a suspension, though Ferran Torres has returned to fitness.
A victory could propel Barça, currently in ninth place, into the top eight of the standings, although this is not assured.
“The most crucial aspect is that we perform our duties,” Flick remarked in a news conference. “We must play at our highest level. Our goal is to win and secure a spot in the first eight.
“We focus solely on ourselves. We need to engage in a challenging match against Copenhagen. We must deliver our best performance. This is our philosophy.
“We have confidence in our style and how we approach the game. This is what I want to witness. The Champions League always demands reaching your peak level.”
