Manchester United were reportedly willing to pay €70m (£58m) to sign Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez during the January transfer window, but the Spaniard made it clear that he was not interested in leaving Hansi Flick's side.
The 21-year-old has scored four times and registered five assists in 24 appearances for Barcelona this season, including two goals and two assists in 14 outings in the top flight of Spanish football.
Fermin has started Barcelona's last two league matches, and he was outstanding against Valencia at the end of last month, scoring twice and providing two assists in his side's 7-1 success.
The midfielder also played the full 90 minutes against Valencia in the Copa del Rey last week, scoring once in Barcelona's 5-0 success over Los Che in the quarter-finals of the competition.
However, he is not in Flick's first XI when Barcelona have a full squad, with Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Gavi and Pedri among those ahead of him in the pecking order.
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Man United 'were willing to pay £58m for Fermin in January'
According to SPORT, Man United approached Barcelona and Fermin in January, with the English club signalling that they would be prepared to pay €70m (£58m) to sign him in the middle of the campaign.
The report claims that Aston Villa expressed similar interest, but Fermin made it clear that he was not willing to leave Barcelona for the Premier League due to his desire to succeed at Camp Nou.
There is likely to be more interest in Fermin this summer, and Barcelona's delicate financial situation means that they are expected to be willing to listen to serious offers for the Spain international despite his importance.
Fermin has been with Barcelona since 2016, and a successful loan spell with Linares during the 2022-23 campaign led to him returning to his current side to become a first-team regular.
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Would Fermin be a good signing for Man United?
Fermin has a record of 15 goals and six assists in 66 appearances for Barcelona, including 10 goals and two assists in 45 outings in the top flight of Spanish football.
The midfielder was outstanding for Spain at the 2024 Olympics, meanwhile, scoring six times in six appearances, helping his national side to win the gold medal in the process.
Fermin has the ideal skillset to thrive in the Premier League due to his energy, passing ability and goalscoring threat, and it is not a surprise that Man United are keen on his services due to their issues in the middle.
The Red Devils are believed to be considering returning with a fresh bid during the summer market, and Fermin has the potential to be one of the best midfield players in the Premier League in the coming years.
Matt Law
