-Barcelona Firm on Retaining La Masia Midfield Talents Amid Transfer Speculation –
ReportAs FC Barcelona continues working toward achieving compliance with La Liga’s 1:1 financial rule — which would enable the club to register new players without restrictions — management is facing difficult decisions regarding potential player sales.
A key part of reaching this goal involves offloading at least one high-earning or high-value player to reduce the wage bill and generate much-needed revenue.
Initially, attention turned to veteran goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, particularly following the arrival of young talent Joan García.
However, with ter Stegen reportedly unwilling to leave the club, speculation has shifted to other areas of the squad — most notably the promising midfield duo of Fermín López and Marc Casado.
Both players, developed through the famed La Masia academy, have attracted interest from clubs in the Premier League and beyond, with their talent and potential making them appealing targets.
Despite this, Catalunya Ràdio reports that Barcelona has made a firm decision: neither Fermín López nor Marc Casado will be sold this summer.
Sporting director Deco and head coach Hansi Flick are said to be aligned in their stance.
Both see the young midfielders as integral to the club’s long-term project and have no intention of including them in any exit strategy, even with financial pressures mounting.
Fermín López, who currently finds himself competing for the attacking midfield role behind established names like Dani Olmo and Gavi, may face a reduction in playing time, especially if Raphinha is deployed centrally in Flick’s new system.
Nevertheless, despite inquiries from English and Saudi clubs, he remains committed to staying and fighting for his place.
Marc Casado finds himself in a similarly competitive environment, with Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, and Gavi all ahead of him in the pecking order.
Additionally, the anticipated return of Marc Bernal from a long-term ACL injury could complicate Casado’s pathway to consistent minutes.
Even so, like Fermín, Casado has made it clear that he has no desire to leave the club.Barcelona’s firm stance reflects a broader commitment to building around its homegrown talent.
Despite financial constraints and external interest, the club views players like Fermín and Casado as essential to maintaining the identity and continuity of the squad — a priority that remains non-negotiable even in a challenging transfer market.
