Manchester United have reached a verbal agreement with Barcelona for the transfer of talented midfielder Fermín López, sources have exclusively told RedDevils Insider.
The 21-year-old Spanish international, who broke into Barcelona’s first team last season, is set to move to Old Trafford in a deal worth £58 million plus performance-related add-ons. The package also includes a 10% sell-on clause in case López is sold in the future.
Talks between the two clubs accelerated in the last 48 hours after United’s hierarchy were informed of Barcelona’s willingness to listen to offers due to ongoing financial constraints. Barcelona’s sporting director Deco reluctantly approved the sale, admitting privately that “sometimes, the balance sheet scores the winning goal.”
López is expected to travel to Manchester over the weekend for his medical. If all goes to plan, official confirmation will arrive early next week, with the player set to sign a five-year deal with the option for a further season. He is tipped to inherit the number 16 shirt, previously worn by legends like Roy Keane and Michael Carrick.
A source close to the player revealed that Erik ten Hag’s detailed presentation on the club’s future plans played a key role in convincing López to make the move. “Fermín was particularly impressed with the part of the slideshow that showed how he would be the missing piece between Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes,” the source added.
While many Barcelona fans have taken to social media to express their disappointment, some have wished López well in his new chapter. United fans, meanwhile, are already predicting he will become a “cult hero” at Old Trafford — provided he doesn’t “pull a Memphis” and disappear after one season.
If completed, López will become United’s third signing of the summer window, joining the likes of [insert other fake new signings here] as Ten Hag looks to strengthen his squad for the upcoming Premier League campaign.