Atletico Madrid revive pursuit of €50m Barcelona midfielder, De Paul and Gallagher could make way – Report | OneFootball

After winning all the big domestic titles in the 2024-25 season, the FC Barcelona team for the 2025-26 season can see several changes in its ranks. Some of these changes have already been finalized, i.e., the addition of Joan Garcia, while work is being done on several other transfers.

Nico Williams is another player that the Catalans are expected to add to their team this summer. Meanwhile, several players are also expected to leave the Blaugrana team in the coming days and weeks, with Ansu Fati being the closest to materializing an exit from Barcelona.

Although he is not a priority candidate for a sale, the midfielder Fermin Lopez can also be sold by the Blaugranes if a good offer arrives for him.

Atletico Madrid interested in Fermin Lopez

Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images

One place from where such an offer can come is Atletico de Madrid, as Fichajes reports that the Colchoneros as looking to build a top-level team for the next season and Fermin is emerging as one of the priority targets for them.

For now, the Mattress Makers are working on completing the signing of the Argentine defender Cuti Romero, which is their top objective this summer.

After that, Atletico will look to reshape their midfield, with Diego Simeone looking to field a combination of Pablo Barrios, Johnny Cardoso, Alex Baena, and Fermin Lopez. For this purpose, the capital side is also willing to part ways with important players like Rodrigo de Paul and Conor Gallagher.

The midfielder not expected to feature prominently for Flick

The €50 million-rated Spanish midfielder, although not a fixed starter for Flick, still featured prominently in the German’s plans last season. He scored 8 goals and provided 10 assists in 46 appearances. However, stiff competition in the midfield will still make it difficult to get a starting position in the team next season.

He has a high release clause in his current Barcelona contract, which goes till 2029. However, the Blaugranes would be willing to negotiate his departure as they need to gain salary margin to register their new signings.