Man United make first contact over a Barcelona midfielder who vowed to stay ‘forever’, with an Atletico star also on their list

Manchester United have made contact over Fermin Lopez, sounding out Barcelona about a Spain international who has already said he wants to stay at the club forever.

According to Radio MARCA, United have also checked on Pablo Barrios at Atletico Madrid, with the two midfielders seen as similar profiles. Speaking on the station’s La Pizarra programme, journalist Matteo Moretto said: “They have inquired about both; there are no negotiations, simply an initial sounding out.”

So this is contact, not a bid. Moretto added that United held meetings during their Champions League trip to Madrid, but both clubs would be expected to resist. Barrios is important to Diego Simeone’s side and Fermin Lopez is a key man at Barcelona.

Why Man United want a Fermin Lopez type in midfield

United spent big in the middle of the park in the summer, bringing in Carlos Baleba, Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, and it has not fixed the problem. They go into Saturday’s trip to Chelsea 16th in the table, and Santos and Baleba are expected to start together again with Kobbie Mainoo only just back in training.

Manuel Ugarte is out with a long-term knee injury and could leave next summer, which would open up a place. Attacking midfield has also been on the radar for a while, with Como reportedly determined to keep their £50m playmaker Nico Paz beyond January.

Fermin Lopez transfer: the numbers Man United are looking at

The 23-year-old has five goals and four assists in 12 appearances this season. In total he has 37 goals and 32 assists in 148 games for Barcelona, including 10 goals and 10 assists in 33 Champions League matches.

That output explains why he keeps coming up. United are not alone either, with Chelsea and PSG weighing £68m January bids earlier this week.

Could Barcelona really sell Fermin Lopez?

Barcelona’s finances are the one reason for hope. Moretto’s view is that the club are open to offers for most of their first-team players, with Lamine Yamal the exception, because of their financial position.

Against that, Fermin Lopez is under contract until 2031. When United’s interest surfaced in March, he said he would stay at Barcelona “forever”. Nothing since suggests he has changed his mind.

Is the Fermin Lopez to Man United move realistic?

Not right now, in our view. A contract until 2031, a player who is happy and a club who are 16th in the Premier League is not much of a pitch, especially with Chelsea and PSG around. It also says something that a sounding out is the story, rather than a fee or a meeting with his agents.

Still, this does tell you where United’s head is. They want a midfielder who can get on the ball and hurt teams, and they have started asking the question early. Whether Michael Carrick will be the one picking that midfielder is another matter.